Damselfly
Guides
Lestes vidua
Carolina Spreadwing
Lestes vidua, commonly known as the Carolina Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is found in North America. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic trait of spreadwing damselflies that distinguishes them from most other damselfly families. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, last reviewed in 2017.
Lestes vigilax
Swamp Spreadwing
Lestes vigilax, commonly known as the swamp spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is a medium-sized spreadwing damselfly with a body length of 42–55 mm. The species is found in eastern North America, ranging west to Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas, and south to Georgia and South Carolina. Adults are most commonly observed between May and October.
Lestidae
spreadwings, spread-winged damselflies
Lestidae is a cosmopolitan family of damselflies distinguished by their characteristic wing posture at rest. Most species hold their wings partially or fully spread rather than folded together over the abdomen. The family includes two subfamilies: Lestinae, which rest with wings partly open, and Sympecmatinae (reedlings, ringtails, and winter damselflies), which rest with wings folded. The family contains nine currently recognized genera. Fossil records extend to the Late Eocene.
Nehalennia
Sprites
Nehalennia is a genus of very small damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as Sprites. Most species occur in North and South America, with one species, N. speciosa, distributed in Eurasia. Members of this genus are among the smallest odonates and are associated with specific wetland microhabitats.
Nehalennia gracilis
Sphagnum Sprite
Nehalennia gracilis, commonly known as the sphagnum sprite, is a small damselfly species in the family Coenagrionidae. It is one of the smallest damselflies in North America. The species is associated with peatland habitats, particularly sphagnum bogs, which is reflected in its common name. It is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population.
Nehalennia irene
Sedge Sprite
Nehalennia irene, commonly known as the sedge sprite, is a small damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. The species exhibits female-limited color polymorphism, with two distinct female morphs: an androchrome morph that resembles males in coloration and pattern, and a gynochrome morph that is dissimilar to males. Research indicates complex behavioral interactions between these morphs and males, with differential patterns of attraction, harassment, and refusal displays. The species is found in North America, particularly in association with sedge-dominated wetlands.
Nehalennia pallidula
Everglades Sprite
A small damselfly endemic to the southeastern United States, restricted to Florida and Texas. It inhabits swamps and freshwater marshes, where its preference for dense vegetation and diminutive size make it difficult to detect. The species faces significant threats from habitat loss due to water diversion, peat fires, and invasive species.
Neoerythromma
Yellow-faced Damselflies
Neoerythromma is a small genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly called yellow-faced damselflies. The genus contains two described species: Neoerythromma cultellatum (Caribbean yellowface) and Neoerythromma gladiolatum. These damselflies are distinguished by yellow markings on the face, a trait referenced in both the common and scientific names. The genus was established by Kennedy in 1920.
Neoneura
Robust Threadtails
Neoneura is a genus of damselflies in the family Protoneuridae, commonly called Robust Threadtails. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed throughout the Neotropics from Cuba and Texas to Argentina. Unlike other threadtails, Neoneura species have abdomens no more slender than pond damselflies. Males display bright coloration in red, orange, yellow, and blue, while females are more subdued. The genus exhibits distinctive reproductive behavior including tandem oviposition with post-copulatory guarding.
Neoneura aaroni
Coral-fronted Threadtail
Neoneura aaroni, known as the coral-fronted threadtail, is a damselfly species in the family Protoneuridae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population. Like other threadtails, it belongs to a group of slender, small damselflies.
Neoneura amelia
Amelia's Threadtail
Neoneura amelia, commonly known as Amelia's threadtail, is a small damselfly species distributed from southern Texas through Central America to Panama. Males display striking scarlet and reddish-orange coloration, while females are drab tan with dark markings. The species inhabits backwaters of large rivers, stream edges, and pond margins, including muddy locations. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and stable population.
Palaemnema
shadowdamsels
Palaemnema is a genus of damselflies in the family Platystictidae, commonly known as shadowdamsels. They inhabit the New World tropics and subtropics, ranging from Arizona south to Peru and French Guiana. These insects are adapted to life in deeply shaded forest environments, particularly near small streams.
Palaemnema domina
Desert Shadowdamsel
Palaemnema domina, commonly known as the desert shadowdamsel, is a damselfly species in the family Platystictidae. Adults range from 35 to 44 mm in length with a wingspan of 38 to 48 mm. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration, with males showing brighter blue markings on abdominal segments 8 and 9 compared to females. It is active from July to September in riparian habitats.
Protoneura cara
orange-striped threadtail
Protoneura cara is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as the orange-striped threadtail. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Oaxaca and broader regions of Middle America. The IUCN assessed the species as Least Concern in 2017, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Telebasis
Firetails
Telebasis is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, occurring throughout the Neotropics. Most species display red coloration, though a few blue species occur in South America. The genus was taxonomically revised by Rosser Garrison in 2009. Larval morphology varies among species; for example, Telebasis obsoleta has five palpal setae, a trait shared only with T. demerara, while other species have six or seven.
Telebasis digiticollis
marsh firetail
Telebasis digiticollis, commonly known as the marsh firetail, is a narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It was described by Calvert in 1902 and is endemic to Central America. The species holds a Least Concern conservation status from the IUCN, indicating stable populations with no immediate threats to survival.
Telebasis salva
Desert Firetail
Telebasis salva, commonly known as the desert firetail, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It was first described by Hagen in 1861 under the basionym Agrion salva. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from North America through Central America to South America. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, last reviewed in 2018.
Zoniagrion
exclamation damsel
Zoniagrion is a monotypic genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, containing a single species, Z. exclamationis. The genus was established by Kennedy in 1917. These are narrow-winged damselflies, placing them within the suborder Zygoptera.
Zoniagrion exclamationis
Exclamation Damsel
Zoniagrion exclamationis, commonly known as the Exclamation Damsel, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is the sole species in its genus and is endemic to western North America. The species was first described by Selys in 1876 and is recognized by its distinctive coloration and patterning. It is a relatively well-documented damselfly with over 300 observations recorded on citizen science platforms.