top of page

Dragonflies of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER ANISOPTERA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order Odonata)

-Dragonflies (Anisoptera)​

-Superfamily Libelluloidea

-Skimmers (Family Libellulidae)

-​Blue-Eyes (Genus Anatya)

-Common Blue-Eye (Anatya guttata)


Anatya guttata, commonly known as the Common Blue-Eye, is a medium-sized skimmer dragonfly (family Libellulidae) found in Mexico, Central America, and much of northern South America. It is best recognized by the bluish eyes of mature males, from which its common name is derived, along with a generally dark brown to black body marked with subtle pale or bluish spots on the abdomen (the species name guttata means “spotted”). The wings are clear and held flat at rest, typical of skimmers. Anatya guttata inhabits still or slow-moving freshwater, such as ponds, marshes, ditches, and sluggish streams, where adults perch conspicuously on low vegetation or sticks near the water. Like other dragonflies, it is a diurnal predator, feeding on small flying insects, while its aquatic larvae are ambush predators living in the sediment or among submerged plants.

Common Blue-eye - Female

Anatya guttata

Diet

  • Anatya guttata is a predatory dragonfly. Adults capture small flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects, while the aquatic larvae prey on mosquito larvae and other aquatic invertebrates.

  • Adults may hunt from perches along forest paths and waterside vegetation, making short flights to intercept prey.

Range

  • The Common Blue-eye has a broad Neotropical distribution extending from central Mexico through Central America and into northern and central South America, reaching Bolivia and northern Brazil.

  • In Mexico, A. guttata is recorded from Guerrero, as well as Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca and several other states.

  • Its occurrence in Guerrero makes it a suitable species for the Zihuatanejo region, particularly around shaded freshwater habitats.

Habitat

  • Anatya guttata favours shaded margins of streams, small rivers, ponds and other freshwater habitats, particularly where surrounding vegetation provides shelter.

  • Adults are often found away from the immediate water margin, including along forest trails and among tall grasses and other vegetation.

  • Around Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes shaded stream margins, seasonal pools, ponds and wet areas within tropical dry forest and along forest edges.

Description

  • Anatya guttata is a medium-sized skimmer, approximately 35 mm long, with a slender abdomen and relatively broad wings.

  • Mature males are readily recognized by their striking blue eyes, contrasting with the darker body and thorax. Females and immature males are generally duller and more brownish.

  • The wings are mostly clear, although mature individuals may develop darker areas or become coated with algae and other material in humid environments.

bottom of page