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Science & Nature • Paleontology

Meganeura

Meganeura is an extinct genus of large insect from the Late Carboniferous, around 300 million years ago.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Meganeura is an extinct genus of large insect from the Late Carboniferous, around 300 million years ago. It belonged to the extinct order Meganisoptera, a group of dragonfly-like insects often called griffinflies. Meganeura is widely cited as one of the largest flying insects known from the fossil record.

Classification

Meganeura is placed in the extinct order Meganisoptera and is related to the broader odonatopteran lineage that includes modern dragonflies and damselflies. Sources consistently describe it as dragonfly-like rather than a true dragonfly.

Fossil record

Meganeura fossils are known from Late Carboniferous deposits, with the genus commonly associated with about 300 million years ago. The best-known species is Meganeura monyi.

Size and biology

Meganeura is famous for its very large wingspan and is frequently discussed as one of the largest flying insects in Earth’s history. It is generally reconstructed as a predatory insect.

Extinction and significance

The genus disappeared long before the present day, at the end of the Paleozoic era. It remains important in paleontology because it illustrates the extreme insect sizes possible in Carboniferous ecosystems.

Key facts

  • Meganeura was an extinct genus of insect from the Late Carboniferous period.
  • It belonged to Meganisoptera, an extinct group of dragonfly-like insects.
  • The genus is often described as one of the largest flying insects ever found.
  • The name Meganeura means roughly “large veins,” referring to the wing-vein network.
  • Meganeura was not a true modern dragonfly, although it resembled one.

Frequently asked questions

What is Meganeura?
Meganeura is an extinct genus of large, dragonfly-like insects from the Late Carboniferous period.
Was Meganeura a true dragonfly?
No. It was a member of the extinct order Meganisoptera, not a modern dragonfly.
How big was Meganeura?
It is widely described as one of the largest flying insects ever, with very large wings relative to modern insects.
When did Meganeura live?
Meganeura lived about 300 million years ago during the Late Carboniferous.
What does the name Meganeura mean?
The name refers to “large veins,” describing the network of veins in its wings.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meganeura
    Supports: Genus, extinct status, Late Carboniferous age, and placement in Meganisoptera.
  2. Natural History Museum — https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/giant-dragonflies.html
    Supports: Meganeura monyi as the largest early dragonfly-like insect and predator traits.
  3. A-Z Animals — https://www.a-z-animals.com/animals/meganeura/
    Supports: General description as an extinct giant insect, time range, and name meaning.
  4. Geology In — https://www.geologyin.com/2025/05/the-largest-dragonfly-that-ever-existed.html
    Supports: Name meaning, fossil discovery note, and clarification that it was not a true dragonfly.