Dragonflies
Guides
Cannaphila
narrow-winged skimmers, Convict Skimmers
Small Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Contains three species: C. insularis (with subspecies C. i. insularis and C. i. funerea), C. mortoni, and C. vibex. One species, C. insularis, extends into North America. Adults are commonly called narrow-winged skimmers.
Corduliidae
emeralds, emerald dragonflies, green-eyed skimmers, baskettails, sundragons, shadowdragons, boghaunters
Corduliidae is a family of dragonflies commonly known as emeralds or emerald dragonflies, characterized by metallic green or yellow coloration and large emerald-green eyes. The family includes diverse genera such as baskettails (Epitheca), sundragons (Helocordulia), shadowdragons (Neurocordulia), and boghaunters (Williamsonia). Adults are typically black or dark brown with metallic markings, while larvae are black, hairy-looking, and semiaquatic. The family has a nearly worldwide distribution.
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.
Gomphurus
clubtails
Gomphurus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as clubtails. The genus was elevated from subgenus rank within Gomphus in recent taxonomic revisions, reflecting distinct morphological and genetic characteristics. It contains approximately 13 described species, primarily distributed in North America. Species within this genus are associated with lotic freshwater habitats and exhibit restricted geographic ranges.
Ladona
Corporals
Ladona is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as corporals. Molecular phylogenetic evidence supports its status as a monophyletic lineage distinct from the closely related genera Libellula and Plathemis. The genus contains three recognized species distributed in the Nearctic region. Historical taxonomic debate has centered on whether Ladona should be treated as a separate genus, subgenus, or synonym of Libellula.
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.
Macromiidae
cruisers, skimmers
Macromiidae is a family of large dragonflies commonly called cruisers or skimmers, containing approximately 125 species in three genera (Epophthalmia, Macromia, Phyllomacromia). Adults are known for their distinctive flight pattern of patrolling straight down the middle of water bodies and roads. The family is widely distributed across the Holarctic, Afrotropical, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan regions, with highest diversity in East and Southeast Asia, North America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Females lack an ovipositor and deposit eggs by dipping their abdomen into water during flight.
Orthemis
Tropical King Skimmers
Orthemis is a genus of large dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as Tropical King Skimmers. The genus is primarily Neotropical in distribution, with approximately 28 described species. Males are typically red in coloration while females are brown. The genus exhibits notable chromosomal diversity, including the highest chromosome number recorded in Odonata (2n=41 in O. nodiplaga) and a neo-XY sex-determination system in O. ambinigra. The complete life cycle has been described for O. ferruginea, which includes 17 larval instars.
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.
Phyllogomphoides
leaftails
Phyllogomphoides is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as leaftails. It is the second most diverse genus within neotropical Gomphidae, comprising 46 species. The genus was established by Belle in 1970. Mexican species are distinguished primarily by male accessory genitalia, cerci, and epiproct morphology, as color patterns are often similar across species.
Progomphus
sanddragons
Progomphus is a genus of medium-sized dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as sanddragons. The genus is distinguished among Gomphidae by its colored wings, a relatively rare trait in this family. Species are found primarily in tropical regions of the Americas, with adults typically observed near freshwater sandy beaches and pools.
Sympetrum
meadowhawks, darters
Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium-sized skimmer dragonflies comprising over 50 species. Most species inhabit the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, with 11 species native to Europe and 15 to North America; a few species occur in tropical Africa and South America, but none are native to Australasia. Most species are active in late summer and autumn, breeding in ponds and foraging over meadows. Juveniles are typically yellow-gold, with mature males and some females developing bright red or orange-red coloration; the Holarctic Sympetrum danae is an exception with black males lacking red.