MEGANEURA

THE GIANT DRAGONFLY

SCIENTIFIC NAME: MEGANEURA

Paleo art of a Meganeura bug, prehistoric dragonfly, prehistoric bug

"LARGE VEINS"

Named after the prominent veins seen on their wings

QUICK FACTS

Time Period
Meganeura lived during the late Carboniferous period, approximately 304-209 million years ago.
Diet
Meganeura was a carnivorous predator that primarily ate other insects. Due to its large size, it was also able to prey on small amphibians and other small vertebrates.
Size
Meganeura had a wingspan of up to 30 inches and a body length up to 15 inches. Despite its large size, it only weighed about 100-150 grams due to its delicate structure.
Location Found
Meganeura lived in the regions that are now part of Europe and North America. Fossils have been discovered in Commentry, France and Derbyshire, England.

OVERVIEW

Meet Meganeura, one of the largest flying insects to have ever existed. High atmospheric oxygen levels during the Carboniferous period allowed these creatures to grow much larger than insects today.

DID YOU KNOW?

Meganeura went extinct at the end of the Carboniferous period because of huge changes in their environment. During the Carboniferous period the world was essentially a huge swamp with extremely high levels of oxygen. When temperatures began to drop and oxygen levels fell, Meganeura could no longer survive in that environment.
Although commonly referred to as a dragonfly, Meganeura was actually a griffinfly, which is related to but distinct from a dragonfly

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Meganeura was distinguished by its large, veined wings, reinforced with a dense network of structural veins that also aided in oxygen delivery.

Its legs and tibiae were lined with strong spines, forming a “flying trap” to seize prey midair, while its huge, multifaceted eyes provided exceptional vision for spotting and tracking movement, much like modern dragonflies. Although no fossilized heads of Meganeura have been discovered, evidence from closely related species suggests it shared their head structure.

Despite its impressive size, Meganeura’s elongated, lightweight body allowed it to fly efficiently and remain a highly agile aerial hunter.

Paleo art of a Meganeura bug being eaten by a prehistoric amphibian
prehistoric dragonfly, prehistoric bug

HABITAT / ENVIRONMENT

Meganeura inhabited warm, tropical swamp forests and humid wetlands, often patrolling open or semi-open areas near streams, ponds, and rivers.

The Carboniferous period, when it lived, was characterized by consistently high temperatures and humidity, along with an atmospheric oxygen level of about 35%—significantly higher than today’s 21%.

This lush environment teemed with diverse life, including giant millipede-like Arthropleura, large scorpions like Pulmonoscorpius, as well as marine invertebrates such as brachiopods and blastoids, and early amphibians and reptiles like Amphibamus and Hylonomus.

Prehistoric landscape of the carboniferous period from a paleo artist showing a Meganeura, lepidodendron trees, and an arthropleura - showing prehistoric life that inspires the clothing and streetwear of project Pangaea.

BEHAVIOR AND LIFESTYLE

Meganeura was a skilled aerial hunter, using its sharp vision and agile flight to patrol open spaces and intercept prey midair. Its spiny legs acted like a flying trap to grasp and hold captured insects, which it then crushed and consumed with powerful, toothed mandibles.

Much like modern dragonflies, Meganeura was likely a solitary predator that defended its territory along waterways or forest edges.

Although direct evidence is limited, it probably gathered briefly for mating before dispersing, with an aquatic larval stage similar to that of today’s dragonflies.

FOSSIL DISCOVERIES

Meganeura was first discovered in 1880 in Commentry, France, and was formally described by French paleontologist Charles Brongniart.

The original and most significant Meganeura fossil—the holotype described by Brongniart—is preserved at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, serving as the key reference specimen for this iconic prehistoric insect.

This fact page was checked for accuracy by Paleontologist Evan Jevnikar. Visit his website here for additional resources.