# Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) > A small, brightly patterned dragonfly with orange wings banded in dark brown that perches like a tiny pennant near ponds and marshes. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/halloween-pennant/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Not venomous and not dangerous. Adults may grasp skin briefly with their legs or mandibles if handled but they do not bite or sting in a medically significant way. If a small bite occurs, clean the area and apply basic first aid for minor wounds. **Pets:** Not poisonous. Pets are unlikely to be harmed, though a dog or cat might catch one while playing; ingestion would be harmless but could upset the pet's stomach. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Celithemis eponina - Order: Odonata (Dragonflies and damselflies) - Family: Libellulidae (Skimmers) - Size: Body length 30-42 mm (wingspan noticeably wider) - Colours: Orange, Dark brown, Amber, Yellow - Habitat: Still or slow freshwater: ponds, marshes, ditches and vegetated shorelines - Range: Widespread in eastern and central North America, from southern Canada through the eastern United States and into parts of the southern US; locally common near suitable wetlands - Active: Spring through fall in temperate regions; diurnal (active during daylight) - Lifespan: Adults live a few weeks to a couple of months; nymph stage lasts several months to 1-2 years depending on temperature - Effect on plants: Harmless - Pest: no ## Overview The Halloween pennant is a small to medium-sized dragonfly in the skimmer family (Libellulidae). Males and females are similar in pattern though males often show brighter orange and more extensive dark wing patches. They hunt flying insects over still or slow-moving water and perched vegetation, and are commonly seen fluttering and bobbing on emergent stems where they face into the breeze like tiny flags. This species breeds in still freshwater habitats with abundant vegetation: ponds, marshes, ditches and slow streams. Nymphs are aquatic predators that develop over months to a couple of years depending on climate, while adults are active during warm months and feed on mosquitoes, small flies and other soft-bodied insects. ## How to identify it Adults have a stocky dragonfly body 30-42 mm long with relatively broad wings. The most distinctive feature is the wings: translucent orange to amber with one or more broad dark brown bands or blotches across each wing and darker veins near the tips. The body (thorax and abdomen) is yellowish to orange or brown with darker markings. Eyes are large and meet at the top of the head as typical for skimmers. - Translucent orange/amber wings with broad dark brown bands across each wing - Small to medium dragonfly with a body about 30-42 mm long - Perches on tall emergent stems and often angles its body into the wind like a small flag ## Lookalikes - **Calico pennant** (Celithemis elisa): Calico pennant has more extensive dark and pale patches creating a mottled 'calico' look; wing band shapes and the amount of pale spots differ from Halloween pennant. - **Banded pennant** (Celithemis fasciata): Wings are mostly clear with black (not brown on amber) bands and blotches, and the body is darker; Halloween pennant has amber-orange wings with brown bands. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid in or on emergent vegetation or on the water surface; eggs hatch into aquatic nymphs. - **Nymph (larva):** Aquatic, predatory nymphs live among vegetation and sediment, feeding on mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and aquatic insects; they molt multiple times while growing. - **Adult (imago):** Terrestrial/aerial stage that emerges from the final nymphal molt, flies, hunts airborne insects and reproduces; adults often perch on stems and fly short distances to catch prey. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Aquatic invertebrates such as mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and other insect larvae - Adults eat: Flying insects: mosquitoes, flies, gnats and other small soft-bodied insects - Predators of the young: Fish, larger aquatic insects (predaceous beetles, dragonfly nymphs), amphibians - Predators of adults: Birds, spiders, larger dragonflies, and insectivorous bats ## Effect on plants and gardens Does not feed on plants; adults are insect predators and nymphs are aquatic predators, so they do not damage gardens or crops. ## Where and when to find it Adults perch on emergent vegetation and low shrubs near ponds and marshes; look for nymphs in shallow vegetated water among sediment and submerged plants. - Best time: Warm months (spring through fall); mid-morning to late afternoon when flying and hunting are most active. - Tips: Approach slowly and photograph with a telephoto or macro lens; watch for perched individuals on stems where their bright wings are easy to see from a distance. ## Fun facts - The name 'pennant' comes from their habit of perching on tall stems and aligning their bodies like small flags or pennants. - Their orange and dark wing pattern gives them a seasonal 'Halloween' look, which is the origin of the common name. - Male and female wing patterns are similar, but males are often brighter and more vividly marked. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Halloween pennant dragonflies bite? They are not aggressive toward people. They can grasp with their legs or nip if handled roughly, but they do not deliver venomous bites and are not considered harmful. ### Are Halloween pennants dangerous to pets? No. They are non-toxic. A pet that eats one might have a mild upset stomach but is unlikely to be harmed. ### Why is a Halloween pennant in my house? They sometimes fly indoors by accident while chasing insects or attracted to light. They do not live indoors and should be released outside near water and vegetation. ### How do I get rid of a Halloween pennant in my house? Gently catch it with a cup and a piece of paper or open a window and allow it to fly out. Avoid harming the wings; do not swat or crush it. ### Where do Halloween pennants live? They are found near ponds, marshes, slow streams and other still waters with emergent vegetation across much of eastern and central North America. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/50147), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_pennant). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.