A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2014). Determined by John S. Ascher/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Barbara Thurlow MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/20/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 417486 - Psn: 6)

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/20/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/31/2010). Determined by Denis A. Douchet/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Bill Harms MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/7/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/30/2020). (c) Jenny Glenn, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 212037 - Psn: 10)

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/30/2020). (c) Jenny Glenn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jenny Glenn via iNaturalist MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/13/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 396192 - Psn: 10)

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/13/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk eating a female Calico Pennant in Dorchester Co., Maryland (8/12/2007).

Photo by Jim Brighton MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Frederick Co., Maryland (8/14/2014).

Photo by John R. Whitaker MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/5/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Hudson MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/15/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Robert Aguilar, SERC MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/13/2006).

View Record Details Photo by Thomas Wilson MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk caught by a Spatula-leaved Sundew in Worcester Co., Maryland (7/26/2008).

Photo by Jim Brighton MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Wicomico Co., Maryland (7/28/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Wayne Longbottom MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/12/2020). (c) Emily L. Stanley, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 167856 - Psn: 25)

View Record Details Photo by Emily Stanley MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/15/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Robert Aguilar, SERC MBP List

A Common Pondhawk in Charles Co., Maryland (9/12/2016).

View Record Details Photo by William Wise MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk preying on a Halloween Pennant in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/15/2012).

Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk feasting on a Blue Dasher in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/21/2013).

Photo by Richard Orr MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Mel, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 418525 - Psn: 45)

Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Mel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by archifist via iNaturalist MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/16/2013). (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/'>CC BY-SA</a>). (Photo ID: 236282 - Psn: 48)

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/16/2013). (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA).

View Record Details Photo by Matt Muir via iNaturalist MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Howard Co., Maryland (8/22/2012).

Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/19/2013).

Photo by Benjamin DeHaven MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Washington Co., Maryland (7/11/2020). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 188367 - Psn: 55)

Common Pondhawk in Washington Co., Maryland (7/11/2020). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by jugbayjs via iNaturalist MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (8/31/2014).

Photo by Wendy J. Alexander, Ph.D MBP List

A Common Pondhawk preying on an Eastern Amberwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/1/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Jason Avery MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/15/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 704929 - Psn: 75)

Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/15/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk preying on a Needham's Skimmer in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/12/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 611601 - Psn: 155)

A female Common Pondhawk preying on a Needham's Skimmer in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/12/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/5/2021). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 739276 - Psn: 155)

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/5/2021). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

Common Pondhawks in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/13/2019). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 285327 - Psn: 165)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk with prey in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (8/14/2022). (c) rosalie-rick, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 624869 - Psn: 166)

View Record Details Photo by rosalie-rick via iNaturalist MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/30/2020). No rights reserved.

View Record Details Photo by Sam Droege MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Calvert Co., Maryland (8/1/2019). (c) rosalie-rick, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 1201278 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by rosalie-rick via iNaturalist MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/20/2016). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk with Cabbage White prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 636564 - Psn: 215)

A female Common Pondhawk with Cabbage White prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

A male Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/17/2014). Verified by Larry de March/BugGuide.

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

Common Pondhawk in Kent Co., Maryland (6/8/2019). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 629272 - Psn: 245)

Common Pondhawk in Kent Co., Maryland (6/8/2019). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

A female Common Pondhawk with damselfly prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 636563 - Psn: 245)

A female Common Pondhawk with damselfly prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist MBP List

Map Snapshot

3,507 Records

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Status

Common Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) is an abundant, aggressive skimmer widely distributed across eastern North America. This adaptable species can breed in most still or slow-moving bodies of water with emergent vegetation. This species is a rapacious and successful predator of vegetated habitats, often attacking prey as large as itself, commonly including other Odonata. In Maryland, this is one of the most abundant dragonflies, recorded from all counties (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia).

Seasonality Summary

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Resources

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Citations

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Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/28/2014). Determined by John S. Ascher/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Barbara Thurlow.

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/20/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist.

A male Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/31/2010). Determined by Denis A. Douchet/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Bill Harms.

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/7/2018). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

A female Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/30/2020). (c) Jenny Glenn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jenny Glenn via iNaturalist.

A male Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/13/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist.

A male Common Pondhawk eating a female Calico Pennant in Dorchester Co., Maryland (8/12/2007). Media by Jim Brighton.

A male Common Pondhawk in Frederick Co., Maryland (8/14/2014). Media by John R. Whitaker.

Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/5/2014). View Record Details Media by Mike Hudson.

A male Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/15/2015). View Record Details Media by Robert Aguilar, SERC.

A male Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (7/13/2006). View Record Details Media by Thomas Wilson.

A female Common Pondhawk caught by a Spatula-leaved Sundew in Worcester Co., Maryland (7/26/2008). Media by Jim Brighton.

Common Pondhawk in Wicomico Co., Maryland (7/28/2019). View Record Details Media by Wayne Longbottom.

A female Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/15/2015). View Record Details Media by Robert Aguilar, SERC.

A Common Pondhawk in Charles Co., Maryland (9/12/2016). View Record Details Media by William Wise.

A female Common Pondhawk preying on a Halloween Pennant in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/15/2012). Media by Bill Hubick.

A female Common Pondhawk feasting on a Blue Dasher in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/21/2013). Media by Richard Orr.

Common Pondhawk in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Mel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by archifist via iNaturalist.

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/16/2013). (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). View Record Details Media by Matt Muir via iNaturalist.

A male Common Pondhawk in Howard Co., Maryland (8/22/2012). Media by Bonnie Ott.

A female Common Pondhawk in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/19/2013). Media by Benjamin DeHaven.

Common Pondhawk in Washington Co., Maryland (7/11/2020). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by jugbayjs via iNaturalist.

A female Common Pondhawk in Baltimore City, Maryland (8/31/2014). Media by Wendy J. Alexander, Ph.D.

A Common Pondhawk preying on an Eastern Amberwing in Calvert Co., Maryland (9/1/2019). View Record Details Media by Jason Avery.

Common Pondhawk in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/15/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.

A female Common Pondhawk preying on a Needham's Skimmer in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/12/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/5/2021). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.

Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/30/2020). No rights reserved. View Record Details Media by Sam Droege.

Common Pondhawk in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/20/2016). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

A female Common Pondhawk with Cabbage White prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.

A male Common Pondhawk in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/17/2014). Verified by Larry de March/BugGuide. View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

Common Pondhawk in Kent Co., Maryland (6/8/2019). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

A female Common Pondhawk with damselfly prey in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist.