General: Gray Sanddagon Dragonflies (Progomphus borealis) are active daytime fliers occasionally seen around ponds and slow waters around Las Vegas.

Adult males are recognized by the black and yellow banding on the abdomen, and by the somewhat bulbous tip of the abdomen. The eyes and thorax are gray overall with brownish diagonal striped. Females are similar, but the color is less bright.

These active creatures are harmless to humans, but they are voracious predators of small flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. The larvae, however, can provide a bit of a bite. There are some good places to watch dragonflies around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera, Family Gomphidae (clubtails).