Aeshnidae, also called aeshnids, hawkers, or darners, is a family of dragonflies, found nearly worldwide, with more than 50 genera and over 450 species.

Anax includes some of the largest dragonflies, including the North American A. walsinghami, Hawaiian A. strenuus, European A. imperator and A. immaculifrons, and African A. tristis, but these are all exceeded by another member of the family, the Asian Tetracanthagyna plagiata, which by wingspan and weight is the world's largest dragonfly.

The larvae (nymphs or naiads) are generally slender compared to those of other families, with a long and flat extensible lower lip (labium).

They have an extremely good sight, and are voracious insect predators, using their sharp, biting mouthparts.

[4] The spelling Aeschnidae has been intermittently used over a period of time, but is now abandoned for the original name Aeshnidae.