Anisoptera

Guides

Aeshna umbrosa
Shadow Darner
Aeshna umbrosa, commonly known as the Shadow Darner, is a large dragonfly species in the family Aeshnidae. It is widely distributed across North America, occurring throughout almost all of Canada and most of the United States. The species is typically associated with shaded habitats, including forested wetlands and woodland streams. Adult Shadow Darners are powerful fliers and active predators.
dragonfly darner Aeshnidae North-America Odonata Anisoptera
Cordulegaster erronea
tiger spiketail
Cordulegaster erronea, the tiger spiketail, is a large, uncommon dragonfly in the family Cordulegastridae. It is a habitat specialist requiring small, pristine, spring-fed forest streams with muck bottoms and overhanging vegetation. The species has a long larval period estimated at 3-4 years and a brief adult flight period of approximately 2-3 weeks in early summer. Radio-telemetry studies in New Jersey have revealed limited adult movement, with individuals typically remaining within 100-200 meters of natal streams and showing strong site fidelity.
dragonfly spiketail habitat-specialist forest-stream radio-telemetry conservation New-Jersey Cordulegastridae Odonata indicator-species headwater-streams metapopulation territorial-behavior crepuscular-activity long-larval-development site-fidelity mature-forest-dependent spring-fed-streams muck-bottom-streams overhanging-vegetation shaded-streams limited-dispersal fragmented-populations pristine-habitat aquatic-nymph ovipositor early-summer-emergence brief-adult-life canopy-use easily-disturbed human-disturbance-sensitive top-predator stream-ecosystem conservation-concern IUCN-Least-Concern stable-population eastern-North-America patchy-distribution localized-populations territorial-males patrolling-behavior oviposition-in-organic-matter specialized-habitat-requirements forest-protection-needed regulatory-protection-insufficient aquatic-insect odonate Anisoptera Cordulegastroidea Selys-1878 tiger-spiketail uncommon-species rare-encounters field-identification-challenge habitat-degradation-threat forest-fragmentation-impact water-quality-dependent perennial-streams seepage-fed-streams adjacent-forest-use movement-ecology home-range-limited natal-stream-fidelity conservation-recommendations mature-forest-buffer stream-corridor-protection headwater-conservation forest-stream-specialist ecosystem-engineer biodiversity-indicator climate-change-vulnerability habitat-loss-sensitivity development-pressure protected-areas-benefit citizen-science-potential natural-history-knowledge-gap research-priority-species monitoring-target population-stability least-concern-status no-immediate-threat stable-IUCN-assessment North-American-endemic eastern-range New-Jersey-study-site detailed-life-history-known radiotelemetry-pioneer-study first-radio-telemetry-for-species movement-study habitat-use-study home-range-estimation conservation-biology-case-study forest-management-implications buffer-zone-requirements stream-protection-needs beyond-stream-corridor-protection forest-matrix-importance canopy-connectivity shade-requirements thermal-regime-sensitivity hydrological-stability-needs muck-substrate-preference organic-matter-oviposition specialized-reproductive-behavior territorial-defense male-male-competition female-habitat-use non-breeding-habitat-use foraging-in-canopy roosting-behavior activity-pattern crepuscular-peak morning-activity late-afternoon-activity human-disturbance-response flight-initiation-distance conservation-behavior management-recommendations policy-implications regulatory-gap protected-area-design landscape-conservation metapopulation-dynamics subpopulation-connectivity colonization-extinction-dynamics habitat-patch-size habitat-patch-quality habitat-patch-isolation population-viability demographic-stochasticity environmental-stochasticity genetic-diversity-concerns inbreeding-risk drift-effects conservation-genetics-needs long-term-monitoring adaptive-management habitat-restoration-potential reintroduction-feasibility captive-propagation-unnecessary in-situ-conservation-priority ex-situ-conservation-not-indicated site-based-conservation stewardship-needs education-value natural-heritage-significance ecotourism-potential-limited research-tourism-potential photography-challenge field-observation-difficulty elusive-species low-detection-probability survey-methodology-needs environmental-assessment-indicator impact-assessment-species development-review-trigger mitigation-requirements compensatory-habitat-needs offset-feasibility-limited no-net-loss-challenge habitat-irreplaceability conservation-offset-unsuitable precautionary-approach-warranted environmental-planning-integration strategic-environmental-assessment cumulative-effects-assessment climate-adaptation-planning refugia-identification assisted-migration-not-appropriate habitat-management-guidelines forest-management-integration silviculture-impacts harvest-timing-restrictions buffer-retention riparian-zone-width canopy-retention road-impacts sedimentation-sensitivity nutrient-loading-sensitivity chemical-contamination-sensitivity thermal-pollution-sensitivity flow-alteration-sensitivity groundwater-dependence baseflow-maintenance hydrological-connectivity wetland-complex-association seepage-zone-protection headwater-protection-priority watershed-scale-conservation landscape-context-importance matrix-quality-effects edge-effects-sensitivity fragmentation-impacts corridor-needs stepping-stone-habitat network-connectivity population-source-sink-dynamics demographic-source-populations rescue-effects targeted-conservation-action species-specific-management habitat-suitability-modeling distribution-modeling-needs occupancy-modeling-potential detection-probability-estimation survey-design-optimization monitoring-protocol-development trend-analysis-needs population-status-assessment threat-assessment recovery-planning-not-triggered prevention-oriented-conservation proactive-management early-intervention-opportunity conservation-investment-efficiency cost-effective-protection priority-site-identification conservation-opportunity-mapping land-protection-strategies easement-potential fee-simple-acquisition stewardship-agreement-needs management-agreement-needs conservation-partnership-opportunities community-engagement-potential citizen-science-integration volunteer-monitoring-program naturalist-training-value outdoor-education-resource interpretive-program-potential nature-center-exhibit-value conservation-awareness-raising flagship-species-potential umbrella-species-potential surrogate-species-value ecosystem-surrogate-potential habitat-surrogate-value co-occurrence-patterns species-assemblage-indicator community-integrity-indicator functional-diversity-role trophic-position predator-prey-dynamics top-down-effects invertebrate-community-structure-influence ecosystem-process-effects nutrient-cycling-role energy-flow-role detrital-food-web-connection aquatic-terrestrial-linkage emergence-subsidy riparian-food-web-support cross-ecosystem-effects landscape-ecosystem-service water-quality-maintenance natural-filtration-support sediment-stabilization channel-stability-contribution floodplain-function-support biodiversity-maintenance genetic-resource-value evolutionary-significance phylogenetic-distinctiveness taxonomic-uniqueness biogeographic-interest glacial-refugia-potential post-glacial-colonization-history phylogeography-research-potential speciation-patterns adaptive-radiation-context comparative-biology-value developmental-biology-interest physiological-ecology-potential behavioral-ecology-model movement-ecology-model conservation-biology-model climate-change-biology-model phenology-research-potential life-history-evolution reproductive-strategy-interest mating-system-characteristics sexual-selection-potential parental-investment-patterns offspring-size-strategies habitat-selection-behavior dispersal-behavior-evolution philopatry-evolution site-fidelity-evolution territoriality-evolution aggression-patterns risk-taking-behavior anti-predator-behavior foraging-behavior prey-selection predation-risk-effects competitive-interactions interspecific-competition intraspecific-competition density-dependence population-regulation-mechanisms Allee-effects-potential population-dynamics-modeling extinction-risk-assessment stochastic-simulation-needs viability-analysis-potential minimum-viable-population minimum-dynamic-area habitat-area-requirements habitat-configuration-needs critical-habitat-designation-potential endangered-species-listing-not-warranted species-of-conservation-concern-status watch-list-inclusion ranking-system-application heritage-rank-interpretation global-rank-assessment state-rank-assessment conservation-status-assessment trend-assessment knowledge-status-evaluation information-needs-identification research-priority-setting funding-priority-justification grant-proposal-foundation academic-research-opportunity thesis-project-suitability dissertation-potential postdoctoral-research-opportunity collaborative-research-potential interdisciplinary-research-value integrative-biology-example systems-biology-application bioindicator-validation biomonitoring-protocol environmental-quality-indicator ecosystem-health-indicator restoration-success-indicator management-effectiveness-measure conservation-outcome-metric performance-monitoring-tool adaptive-management-feedback evidence-based-conservation science-policy-interface knowledge-transfer-potential science-communication-value public-engagement-opportunity media-interest-potential storytelling-value narrative-conservation emotional-connection-potential aesthetic-value intrinsic-value existence-value bequest-value option-value direct-use-value-limited indirect-use-value non-use-value-predominance total-economic-value-estimation ecosystem-service-valuation natural-capital-accounting green-infrastructure-valuation nature-based-solution-potential climate-mitigation-co-benefits climate-adaptation-co-benefits disaster-risk-reduction-value water-security-contribution food-security-limited-relevance livelihood-support-limited cultural-service-value spiritual-value-limited recreational-value-limited educational-service-value scientific-service-value knowledge-generation-value inspiration-value symbolic-value-limited identity-value-limited sense-of-place-limited heritage-value intergenerational-equity-consideration sustainability-principle-application precautionary-principle-application polluter-pays-principle-limited beneficiary-pays-principle common-but-differentiated-responsibilities-limited intra-generational-equity-consideration procedural-equity-consideration recognition-equity-consideration distributional-equity-consideration environmental-justice-relevance indigenous-knowledge-integration-limited local-knowledge-integration-potential traditional-ecological-knowledge-limited citizen-knowledge-integration stakeholder-engagement-needs participatory-conservation-approach community-based-conservation-potential co-management-opportunity-limited adaptive-co-management-potential learning-based-management social-ecological-system-perspective resilience-thinking-application transformative-change-potential systemic-intervention-needs leverage-point-identification conservation-intervention-design theory-of-change-development results-chain-construction outcome-mapping-potential impact-pathway-analysis attribution-challenge contribution-assessment mixed-methods-evaluation qualitative-monitoring-needs quantitative-monitoring-needs participatory-monitoring-potential indicator-development-needs baseline-establishment-needs counterfactual-consideration control-site-needs experimental-design-potential quasi-experimental-methods statistical-matching-potential regression-discontinuity-limited instrumental-variables-limited synthetic-control-methods-limited difference-in-differences-potential panel-data-methods time-series-analysis-needs spatial-analysis-methods geostatistical-methods remote-sensing-application drone-survey-potential eDNA-monitoring-potential acoustic-monitoring-limited automated-detection-potential machine-learning-application artificial-intelligence-potential big-data-integration open-data-sharing-value data-standardization-needs metadata-documentation-needs data-quality-assurance data-management-planning long-term-data-archiving repository-deposition-needs DOI-assignment-value citation-practice-improvement attribution-standards intellectual-property-consideration ethical-research-practice animal-welfare-consideration-limited permit-compliance-needs institutional-review-limited indigenous-rights-consideration access-and-benefit-sharing-limited biosecurity-consideration invasive-species-interaction-limited pathogen-interaction-limited pollutant-interaction-potential contaminant-bioaccumulation-potential toxicology-research-needs risk-assessment-potential environmental-health-relevance One-Health-connection-limited planetary-health-relevance ecosystem-health-framework-application conservation-medicine-limited eco-immunology-potential disease-ecology-limited parasite-host-dynamics-limited microbiome-research-potential symbiosis-research-limited holobiont-concept-limited extended-phenotype-limited niche-construction-potential ecosystem-engineering-limited keystone-species-status-limited foundation-species-status-limited dominant-species-status-limited ecosystem-engineer-status-limited trophic-cascade-potential-limited regime-shift-potential-limited alternative-stable-states-limited critical-transition-potential-limited resilience-assessment-potential threshold-identification-needs early-warning-signal-detection tipping-point-proximity-assessment hysteresis-potential-limited recovery-dynamics restoration-ecology-application rehabilitation-potential reconstruction-limited replacement-limited substitution-limited ecological-replacement-limited rewilding-relevance-limited de-extinction-irrelevance synthetic-biology-irrelevance gene-drive-irrelevance biotechnology-application-limited genetic-rescue-potential-limited genetic-management-needs ex-situ-intervention-limited in-situ-intervention-priority headstarting-potential-limited translocation-potential-limited reintroduction-potential-limited supplementation-potential-limited augmentation-potential-limited establishment-potential-limited colonization-assistance-limited range-expansion-facilitation-limited climate-tracking-potential-limited assisted-colonization-inappropriate managed-relocation-rejected predictive-distribution-modeling climate-envelope-modeling process-based-modeling-potential mechanistic-niche-modeling correlative-niche-modeling-application species-distribution-modeling occupancy-modeling detection-nondetection-modeling abundance-modeling-potential demographic-modeling-potential population-viability-modeling metapopulation-modeling-potential spatially-explicit-modeling individual-based-modeling-potential agent-based-modeling-potential system-dynamics-modeling-limited network-modeling-potential food-web-modeling-limited ecosystem-modeling-limited earth-system-modeling-limited integrated-assessment-modeling-limited scenario-analysis-potential forecasting-needs hindcasting-potential model-validation-needs model-selection-criteria model-averaging-potential ensemble-modeling-potential uncertainty-quantification-needs sensitivity-analysis-needs robustness-analysis-needs model-transparency-needs model-reproducibility-needs open-science-practices code-sharing-needs workflow-documentation version-control-application computational-reproducibility analytical-reproducibility methodological-reproducibility conceptual-reproducibility replication-study-needs meta-analysis-potential systematic-review-potential evidence-synthesis-needs knowledge-gap-identification research-agenda-setting priority-action-identification implementation-science-needs conservation-practice-improvement professional-development-needs capacity-building-needs training-program-development skills-gap-analysis competency-framework-development career-pathway-development mentorship-program-potential network-building-needs community-of-practice-development learning-network-establishment knowledge-exchange-platform innovation-diffusion-potential best-practice-identification practice-standard-development guideline-development-needs protocol-standardization quality-assurance-framework accreditation-potential certification-potential professional-recognition-needs award-potential fellowship-potential scholarship-potential endowment-potential sustainable-financing-needs funding-diversification business-model-innovation social-enterprise-potential conservation-finance-mechanism payment-for-ecosystem-services-limited biodiversity-offsetting-inappropriate habitat-banking-inappropriate species-banking-inappropriate conservation-trust-fund-potential debt-for-nature-swap-limited green-bond-potential-limited impact-investment-potential-limited blended-finance-potential public-private-partnership-potential corporate-engagement-potential philanthropic-engagement-potential individual-giving-potential membership-program-potential subscription-model-potential crowdfunding-potential challenge-prize-potential innovation-competition-potential hackathon-potential citizen-science-platform volunteer-program-development internship-program-potential service-learning-opportunity academic-service-learning experiential-education-value field-course-potential workshop-development-potential conference-presentation-value symposium-organization-potential journal-special-issue-potential book-chapter-opportunity field-guide-contribution-potential identification-resource-development key-development-potential illustration-commission-potential photography-collection-value specimen-collection-value museum-collection-contribution herbarium-voucher-limited tissue-sample-banking genetic-resource-banking cryopreservation-potential seed-banking-irrelevant pollen-banking-irrelevant sperm-banking-irrelevant embryo-banking-irrelevant cell-line-establishment-irrelevant in-vitro-culture-limited micropropagation-irrelevant tissue-culture-irrelevant organ-culture-irrelevant whole-organism-culture-limited artificial-propagation-limited captive-breeding-inappropriate ex-situ-population-management-unnecessary zoo-collection-potential-limited aquarium-collection-potential-limited botanic-garden-collection-irrelevant arboretum-collection-irrelevant gene-bank-establishment-unnecessary seed-orchard-irrelevant clone-archive-irrelevant field-gene-bank-irrelevant in-situ-conservation-stand-irrelevant on-farm-conservation-irrelevant home-garden-conservation-irrelevant community-seed-bank-irrelevant participatory-plant-breeding-irrelevant evolutionary-plant-breeding-irrelevant landscape-approach-irrelevant seascape-approach-irrelevant territorial-approach-limited bioregional-approach-limited ecoregional-approach-potential hotspot-approach-limited gap-analysis-application systematic-conservation-planning prioritization-algorithm-application optimization-method-application Marxan-application-limited Zonation-application-limited Conservation-Planning-Software-application decision-support-tool-development spatial-prioritization-needs temporal-prioritization-needs threat-prioritization-needs action-prioritization-needs resource-allocation-optimization portfolio-approach-application bet-hedging-strategy robust-decision-making decision-scaling-application adaptation-pathways-approach dynamic-adaptation-policy-pathways transformation-pathways-potential socio-ecological-scenario-development narrative-scenario-construction quantitative-scenario-modeling backcasting-potential leapfrogging-potential disruptive-innovation-potential transformational-change-potential system-innovation-potential institutional-innovation-potential governance-innovation-potential policy-innovation-potential legal-innovation-potential economic-innovation-potential social-innovation-potential technological-innovation-potential biological-innovation-irrelevant ecological-innovation-limited evolutionary-innovation-potential conservation-innovation-index innovation-diffusion-tracking adoption-barrier-identification scaling-challenge-analysis implementation-barrier-assessment enabling-condition-identification success-factor-analysis failure-mode-analysis lesson-learning-system knowledge-management-system organizational-learning-capacity adaptive-capacity-building transformative-capacity-building absorptive-capacity-building innovative-capacity-building responsive-capacity-building precautionary-capacity-building anticipatory-capacity-building preparedness-capacity-building recovery-capacity-building resilience-capacity-building sustainability-capacity-building viability-capacity-building feasibility-assessment desirability-assessment acceptability-assessment legitimacy-assessment effectiveness-assessment efficiency-assessment equity-assessment appropriateness-assessment adequacy-assessment sufficiency-assessment necessity-assessment proportionality-assessment subsidiarity-assessment coherence-assessment consistency-assessment compatibility-assessment conformity-assessment compliance-assessment performance-assessment impact-assessment outcome-assessment output-assessment input-assessment process-assessment context-assessment needs-assessment capacity-assessment risk-assessment vulnerability-assessment hazard-assessment exposure-assessment sensitivity-assessment adaptive-capacity-assessment coping-capacity-assessment response-capacity-assessment recovery-capacity-assessment transformation-capacity-assessment development-assessment sustainability-assessment resilience-assessment viability-assessment
Cordulegastridae
Spiketails, biddie, flying adder
Cordulegastridae, commonly known as spiketails, is a family of dragonflies (Anisoptera) distributed across the Holarctic region. The family contains approximately 51 species in three to four genera, including Cordulegaster, Anotogaster, Neallogaster, and the recently restored Thecagaster and Zoraena. Adults are characterized by large black or brown bodies with yellow markings, blue-green eyes that meet at a single point, and a slow flight pattern 30–70 cm above water. Nymphs are specialized ambush predators that conceal themselves in sand or silt substrates of clean, flowing streams.
dragonfly Odonata Anisoptera lotic stream Holarctic conservation-concern ambush-predator gleaning-predator
Coryphaeschna
Pilot Darners
Coryphaeschna is a genus of large dragonflies commonly known as pilot darners, comprising approximately 10 described species within the family Aeshnidae. The genus occurs primarily in the Neotropical region, with species ranging from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Members of this genus are aerial predators typical of the darner group, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented for many species.
Aeshnidae dragonfly pilot-darner Neotropical Odonata Anisoptera
Dythemis
Setwings
Dythemis is a Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as Setwings. The genus contains seven species. A 2011 taxonomic revision proposed that D. multipunctata be reclassified as a subspecies of D. sterilis, with mainland populations previously identified as D. multipunctata reassigned to D. nigra.
dragonflies Libellulidae Neotropical Odonata Anisoptera
Idiataphe cubensis
metallic pennant
Idiataphe cubensis, known as the metallic pennant, is a species of skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widely distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species holds a stable population and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
dragonfly skimmer Libellulidae Neotropical widespread Least-Concern stable-population IUCN-2017 Odonata Anisoptera
Libellulidae
skimmers, perchers, chasers, darters, meadowhawks
Libellulidae is the largest family of dragonflies, comprising over 1000 species with nearly worldwide distribution. Members are commonly known as skimmers, perchers, chasers, or darters. The family is characterized by broad, often flattened abdomens and a tendency to perch frequently. Many species display bright colors or banded wings. The family name derives from Latin "libella," meaning a carpenter's level, referencing the insect's ability to remain level when hovering. Larvae have stout bodies with the labium developed into a mask over the lower face. The earliest fossil record dates to the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Kazakhstan.
dragonflies odonata anisoptera aquatic-insects predators wetland-indicators widespread-family
Neurocordulia alabamensis
Alabama Shadowdragon
Neurocordulia alabamensis, the Alabama Shadowdragon, is a dragonfly species in the family Corduliidae described in 1955. It belongs to a genus of shadowdragons known for crepuscular flight activity. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with documented populations in Alabama and adjacent regions. Like other Neurocordulia species, it is associated with riverine habitats and exhibits distinctive flight behavior during low-light conditions.
Odonata Anisoptera Corduliidae shadowdragon crepuscular riverine endemic southeastern-United-States lotic
Orthemis
An undescribed species in the dragonfly genus Orthemis, recognized as distinct from described congeners but not yet formally named. The genus Orthemis is part of the skimmer family Libellulidae, with most described species occurring in the Neotropical region. This taxon represents one of many insect species awaiting formal taxonomic description.
dragonfly skimmer Libellulidae undescribed-species cryptic-diversity taxonomy Odonata Anisoptera
Perithemis domitia
slough amberwing
Perithemis domitia, commonly known as the slough amberwing, is a small skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is distributed across a broad geographic range including the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population.
dragonfly skimmer Libellulidae amberwing Odonata Neotropical Nearctic Caribbean Central-America South-America North-America IUCN-Least-Concern stable-population Drury-1773 Perithemis Anisoptera
Petaluridae
petaltails, graybacks
Petaluridae is a relict family of dragonflies (Anisoptera) representing one of the most ancient lineages of extant dragonflies, with fossil records dating to the Jurassic period over 150 million years ago. The family comprises 11 extant species in five genera, divided into two major clades: a Laurasian clade (Tachopteryx, Tanypteryx) distributed in eastern and western North America and Japan, and a Gondwanan clade (Petalura, Phenes, Uropetala) found in Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. Petaltails are notable for their specialized larval habitats and extended development times, with most species persisting as independent lineages for 70–75 million years.
dragonflies Anisoptera relict-fauna Jurassic Gondwana Laurasia semiaquatic-larvae endangered-species ancient-lineage biogeography habitat-specialist
Somatochlora calverti
Calvert's Emerald, Andre Flies
Somatochlora calverti is a rare, range-restricted dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, primarily known from the Florida panhandle with scattered records in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The species is a habitat specialist associated with shallow seepage streams and steephead ravines. Its nymph has never been collected in the field, and its reproductive microhabitat remains speculative based on analogy to sympatric congeners.
dragonfly emerald endemic rare habitat-specialist seepage-stream steephead-ravine bioindicator conservation-concern Sphagnum sandhill-forest Florida southeastern-United-States nymph-unknown Corduliidae Odonata Anisoptera
Somatochlora semicircularis
mountain emerald
Somatochlora semicircularis, known as the mountain emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assessed by IUCN as Least Concern with a stable population.
dragonfly emerald-dragonfly Odonata Anisoptera Corduliidae
Triacanthagyna trifida
Phantom Darner
Triacanthagyna trifida, commonly known as the Phantom Darner, is a large dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Triacanthagyna, a group of neotropical darners characterized by their distinctive three-toothed claspers. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. Adults are known for their crepuscular activity patterns, being most active at dusk.
Odonata Anisoptera Aeshnidae darners neotropical crepuscular dragonfly