It’s amazing how many different species of dragonflies I have been able to spot and photograph during my brief stay here in Brussels, Belgium. One new species for me is the Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)—there were quite a few members of this species active at a pond in the Rouge-Cloître park. Unlike some of the species that I have seen here, this species is also found in North America, where it is known as the “Four-spotted Skimmer.”
This species is so popular that, according to one website, it won a contest in 1995 to become the state insect of the state of Alaska. That may sound a bit strange to some readers, but personally I am happy that it beat out competitors that included the mosquito. (I have heard stories that mosquitoes in Alaska are large and aggressive and possibly are even larger than dragonflies, though that may be a slight exaggeration.)
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
In the bottom photo it looks shiny gold and black. It looks gorgeous and very rich in colour!
I like them too Mike, they pose nicely for shots unlike some I could mention!
It’s indeed a beautiful dragonfly! and I’ve been to Alaska a few times, the mozzies aren’t as big as dragonflies (although I’ve heard people call them “Alaskian horses”) but they’re really pesky. Glad they didn’t win that competition!
Thanks, Camilla. I had a fun time photographing some of “your” dragonflies during my brief trip to Brussels. I am amazed at how many different ones I was able to see.
I read an edited version of the post and then enlarged each of the photos. Benjamin decided that he likes the second dragonfly better because : “His wings are so pretty and he is so yellow.” Benjamin also wants to find out more about state insects. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
This should give you a start in exploring state insects. https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/state-insects According to this list, Rhode Island does not have one–I think that it where you live.
I was disappointed that R.I. does not have a state insect. Benjamin said : “Sorry Gem.” He is delighted that his home state of Massachusetts has one. He was hoping that it would be a dragonfly (his favorite), but is happy that it is a Ladybug (one of my favorites). Thank-you for finding this link for us!