Family: Corduliidae, Green-eyed Skimmers view all from this family

Description The American Emerald is a member of the green-eyed skimmer family (family Corduliidae). These medium-sized or large dragonflies, 1 3/8-3" (34-76 mm) long, have a distinctive lobe on the hind margin of each compound eye. Many species are black or metallic with bright green eyes; others are dark brown with yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen. Adults are common around wooded ponds and streams, where the flattened, long-legged naiads pursue small insect prey underwater.