Dragonfly
Guides
Coryphaeschna viriditas
Mangrove Darner
Coryphaeschna viriditas, commonly known as the mangrove darner, is a dragonfly species in the family Aeshnidae. It inhabits coastal and wetland environments across the Americas, with a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats identified.
Crocothemis
Scarlet Skimmers
Crocothemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, subfamily Sympetrinae. Species occur across southern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southwest Pacific. These are small to medium-sized dragonflies known for bright coloration in males, ranging from vivid red to rich blue, while females are typically dull brown or orange. They are aerial predators that perch on vegetation near water and fly out to capture prey.
Didymops
Didymops is a genus of dragonflies belonging to the family Macromiidae. The genus is small, containing only two described species. Members are classified within the suborder Anisoptera, representing a distinct lineage within the cruiser dragonfly family.
Didymops floridensis
Florida cruiser
Didymops floridensis, commonly known as the Florida cruiser, is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is native to North America and has been assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern, indicating no immediate threats to its survival. The species was described by Davis in 1921.
Dromogomphus
Spinylegs, Spiny-legged Clubtails
Dromogomphus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as spinylegs. The common name refers to the prominent spines on their legs, which function in prey capture. The genus includes three North American species: southeastern spinyleg, black-shouldered spinyleg, and flag-tailed spinyleg. These dragonflies are medium to large-sized clubtails with distinctive morphological features.
Dromogomphus armatus
Southeastern Spinyleg
Dromogomphus armatus, commonly known as the southeastern spinyleg, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Dromogomphus spinosus
black-shouldered spinyleg
Dromogomphus spinosus, commonly known as the black-shouldered spinyleg, is a medium-sized dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. Adults average 64 mm in length. The species is distinguished by prominent black shoulder patches, long spines on the legs used for prey capture, and a clubbed abdomen with yellow lateral markings. It occurs across eastern North America from southern Manitoba to Florida.
Dromogomphus spoliatus
Flag-tailed Spinyleg
Dromogomphus spoliatus, commonly known as the flag-tailed spinyleg, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is native to North America. The species has been assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Dythemis fugax
Checkered Setwing
Dythemis fugax, commonly known as the checkered setwing, is a dragonfly species in the skimmer family Libellulidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species holds a stable population with no immediate conservation concerns.
Dythemis maya
Mayan Setwing
Dythemis maya, commonly known as the Mayan Setwing, is a species of skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival; this status was last reviewed in 2017.
Dythemis nigrescens
Black Setwing
Dythemis nigrescens, commonly known as the black setwing, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. It occurs across Central America and North America, with documented observations concentrated in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species holds a least concern conservation status with stable populations. The common name refers to its dark wing coloration, a distinctive feature among setwings in the genus Dythemis.
Epitheca canis
Beaverpond Baskettail
Epitheca canis, commonly known as the Beaverpond Baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive egg-laying behaviors. Like other baskettails, it possesses brilliant green eyes as an adult. The species inhabits wetland environments, particularly beaver ponds, from which its common name derives.
Epitheca costalis
Slender Baskettail, Stripe-winged Baskettail
Epitheca costalis is an emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae, commonly known as the slender baskettail or stripe-winged baskettail. It is found in North America and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to survival. The species is part of the baskettail genus, named for the distinctive egg-laying behavior where females carry eggs in a basket-like structure before trailing them in gelatinous strings across water surfaces.
Epitheca princeps
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps, commonly known as the prince baskettail, is a dragonfly species in the family Corduliidae. It is one of the larger baskettail species in North America and is distinguished by its distinctive egg-laying behavior, where females extrude eggs onto their subgenital plate before depositing them in gelatinous strings on water. The species has a relatively long flight season compared to other baskettails, extending into summer.
Epitheca sepia
sepia baskettail
Epitheca sepia, commonly known as the sepia baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population and no immediate threats to survival.
Epitheca spinigera
Spiny Baskettail
Epitheca spinigera, the Spiny Baskettail, is a dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. Adults have brilliant green eyes characteristic of the family. The species is active from late May to early July in North America. Like other baskettails, females practice exophytic oviposition, extruding eggs onto the subgenital plate and trailing them in gelatinous strings through water during flight rather than inserting them into vegetation.
Epitheca stella
Florida baskettail
Epitheca stella, the Florida baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to survival; this status was reviewed in 2017.
Erpetogomphus
ringtails
Erpetogomphus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as ringtails. The genus comprises approximately 25 extant species distributed primarily in the Americas, plus one fossil species from Early Miocene Mexican amber. Most species exhibit predominantly green coloration, and males possess a moderately clubbed abdomen tip. The genus was taxonomically revised by Rosser Garrison in 1994.
Erpetogomphus compositus
white-belted ringtail
Erpetogomphus compositus, commonly known as the white-belted ringtail, is a clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It inhabits streams and rivers in Central America and North America. The species is distinguished by its heavily striped thorax with a prominent white central stripe on the side, which gives it the common name. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population.
Erpetogomphus designatus
Eastern Ringtail
Erpetogomphus designatus, commonly known as the eastern ringtail, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by Hagen in 1858. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population, last reviewed in 2017.
Erpetogomphus eutainia
blue-faced ringtail
Erpetogomphus eutainia, commonly known as the blue-faced ringtail, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating no immediate threat to its survival. As a member of the genus Erpetogomphus, it shares the characteristic ringtail morphology with related species.
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis
Serpent Ringtail
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis, commonly known as the Serpent Ringtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae (clubtails). It is distinguished by a turquoise thorax and is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species prefers riverine habitats where adults perch on mid-stream objects or overhanging vegetation. Like other clubtails, it has eyes that are widely separated rather than touching at the top of the head.
Erythemis attala
Black Pondhawk
Erythemis attala, the black pondhawk, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species holds a least concern conservation status with stable populations. As a member of the genus Erythemis, it shares the pondhawk common name with related species such as the Eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis).
Erythemis collocata
Western pondhawk
Erythemis collocata, the western pondhawk, is a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae native to western North America. Adults are predatory, specializing in capturing flying insects. The species has been documented feeding on the western malaria mosquito (Anopheles freeborni), particularly at dusk when these mosquitoes form mating swarms. It employs both active pursuit and sit-and-wait hunting strategies.
Erythemis mithroides
Claret Pondhawk
Erythemis mithroides, commonly known as the claret pondhawk, is a neotropical dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is a medium-sized, brightly colored species with distinctive red coloration in males. The species occupies a wide geographic range across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and South America, and is frequently encountered in both natural and artificial lentic water bodies. It is an active predator with territorial males that exhibit aggressive behaviors during mate-finding and foraging activities.
Erythemis vesiculosa
Great Pondhawk
Erythemis vesiculosa, commonly known as the great pondhawk, is a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is distributed throughout the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central and South America. The species has been documented in insular populations, including the Galápagos Islands, where it exhibits behavioral adaptations to species-poor communities.
Erythrodiplax
Dragonlets
Erythrodiplax is a large Neotropical genus of small to medium-sized dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as dragonlets. The genus contains numerous species distributed across the Americas, with some members exhibiting unique ecological adaptations. Erythrodiplax berenice, the Seaside Dragonlet, is the only odonate known to develop in saline water, tolerating salinities up to 48%. Species within this genus display diverse reproductive behaviors, with males exhibiting territorial or satellite strategies and engaging in mate guarding during oviposition.
Erythrodiplax basifusca
plateau dragonlet
Erythrodiplax basifusca, commonly known as the plateau dragonlet, is a species of skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records from regions including Oaxaca. The species has been observed in at least 2002 iNaturalist records. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population, a status reviewed in 2017.
Erythrodiplax fervida
Red-mantled Dragonlet
Erythrodiplax fervida, commonly known as the Red-mantled Dragonlet, is a small dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. The species occurs in the Caribbean and South America, with records from Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico. It is one of five Antillean Erythrodiplax species found in Cuba. The last instar larva was formally described in 2007, filling a gap in the taxonomic knowledge of Cuban dragonflies. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern with a stable population.
Gomphaeschna antilope
Taper-tailed Darner
Gomphaeschna antilope, commonly known as the Taper-tailed Darner, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is native to North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. The species was last assessed in 2017.
Gomphaeschna furcillata
Harlequin Darner
Gomphaeschna furcillata, commonly known as the Harlequin Darner, is a small dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It belongs to the genus Gomphaeschna, commonly called 'pygmy darners' due to their relatively small size compared to other darners. The species is found across North America in Canada and the continental United States. It holds a 'least concern' conservation status with a stable population.
Gomphidae
Clubtails, Club-tailed Dragonflies
Gomphidae is a family of dragonflies commonly known as clubtails, containing approximately 90 genera and 900 species worldwide. The family name derives from the Greek 'gomphos' meaning 'bolt' or 'nail,' referring to the club-like widening of abdominal segments 7-9, though this feature is reduced in females and absent in some species. Clubtails are distinguished from other dragonfly families by their small, widely separated compound eyes—a trait shared only with Petaluridae and damselflies. The family is the sole member of the superfamily Gomphoidea and has a global distribution across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Gomphurus crassus
Handsome Clubtail
Gomphurus crassus, commonly known as the Handsome Clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is a member of the genus Gomphurus, which was historically treated as a subgenus of Gomphus but has been elevated to full generic status based on molecular and morphological evidence. The species is characterized by its robust body form and distinctive clubbed abdomen typical of the family. As an odonate predator, it occupies freshwater habitats where it hunts smaller insects.
Gomphurus externus
Plains Clubtail
Gomphurus externus, commonly known as the plains clubtail, is a medium to large dragonfly in the clubtail family Gomphidae. Adults range 52–60 mm in length and are distinguished by yellow facial markings, striped thorax, and a clubbed abdomen tip. The species inhabits rivers and large streams across central North America, with peak flight activity in mid-summer. Nymphs are burrowers in muddy substrates and exhibit unusual daytime emergence behavior.
Gomphurus gonzalezi
Tamaulipan Clubtail
Gomphurus gonzalezi, commonly known as the Tamaulipan clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae. It is restricted to a narrow geographic range along the lower Rio Grande, occurring in Texas, USA and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The species was originally described by Dunkle in 1992. The genus Gomphurus was elevated from subgenus to genus rank in 2017, reclassifying this species from Gomphus.
Gomphurus hybridus
Cocoa Clubtail
A medium-sized clubtail dragonfly endemic to eastern North America. Adults are active in late spring through mid-summer, with peak emergence typically in June. The species is named for the cocoa-brown coloration of mature males. Larvae develop in streams and rivers, requiring clean, flowing water with sandy or gravelly substrates. Like other gomphids, it is a predator both as aquatic nymph and aerial adult.
Gomphurus modestus
Gulf Coast Clubtail
Gomphurus modestus, commonly known as the Gulf Coast Clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae. It was transferred from the genus Gomphus to Gomphurus in 2017 when the latter was elevated from subgenus to full genus status. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it inhabits medium to large slow-flowing rivers. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population.
Gomphurus septima
Septima's Clubtail
Septima's Clubtail is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae, distinguished by its club-shaped abdomen tip. The species was transferred from genus Gomphus to Gomphurus in 2017 when Gomphurus was elevated from subgenus to full genus rank. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population.
Gomphurus ventricosus
Skillet Clubtail
Gomphurus ventricosus, commonly known as the Skillet Clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It belongs to the order Odonata and is classified within the suborder Anisoptera, which encompasses the dragonflies. The species was first described by Walsh in 1863 and is currently accepted as a valid species in taxonomic databases.
Gynacantha mexicana
bar-sided darner
Gynacantha mexicana, commonly known as the bar-sided darner, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is distributed across Central America, North America, and South America. The species has been assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern with a stable population, with the most recent review conducted in 2017.
Hagenius
dragonhunter
Hagenius is a monotypic genus of clubtail dragonflies (family Gomphidae) containing the single species Hagenius brevistylus, commonly known as the dragonhunter. This large, aggressive dragonfly inhabits riverine systems of eastern North America and is notable for its exceptional predatory behavior, including the habit of capturing and consuming other dragonflies and damselflies. The genus name honors Hermann August Hagen, a prominent 19th-century entomologist specializing in Odonata.
Helocordulia selysii
Selys' Sundragon
Helocordulia selysii, known as Selys' Sundragon, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The species holds a least concern conservation status with a stable population.
Helocordulia uhleri
Uhler's Sundragon
Helocordulia uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's sundragon, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America, with records from the United States including Vermont. The species has been assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern (LC) with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. It belongs to a small genus of North American emerald dragonflies.
Hylogomphus
clubtails
Hylogomphus is a genus of clubtail dragonflies (family Gomphidae) comprising six described species native to eastern North America. The genus was elevated from subgenus status within Gomphus in 2000, reflecting distinct morphological and phylogenetic characteristics. Species within this genus are associated with lotic freshwater habitats and exhibit conservative body plans typical of gomphid dragonflies.
Hylogomphus adelphus
Mustached Clubtail
Hylogomphus adelphus, commonly known as the Mustached Clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae. It is a member of the clubtail group, characterized by expanded terminal abdominal segments. The species is native to eastern North America and is associated with riverine habitats.
Hylogomphus apomyius
Banner Clubtail
Hylogomphus apomyius, commonly known as the Banner Clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae. It is one of several small clubtail species within the genus Hylogomphus, characterized by relatively modest abdominal clubbing compared to larger gomphids. The species was described by Donnelly in 1966 and occurs in eastern North America. It is associated with riverine habitats and is considered uncommon throughout its range.
Hylogomphus geminatus
Twin-striped Clubtail
Hylogomphus geminatus, commonly known as the Twin-striped Clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae endemic to the southeastern United States. The species was transferred from genus Gomphus to Hylogomphus in 2017 when Hylogomphus was elevated from subgenus to full genus rank. It exhibits pronounced ecomorphological variation in body length across its limited geographic range, with significant differences observed between populations on either side of the Apalachicola River in Florida. The species is listed as Least Concern by IUCN, though it was previously assessed as Near Threatened in 2007.
Hylogomphus parvidens
Piedmont Clubtail
Hylogomphus parvidens, the Piedmont Clubtail, is a species of clubtail dragonfly endemic to the southeastern United States. It was transferred from the genus Gomphus to Hylogomphus in 2017 when Hylogomphus was elevated from subgenus to full genus rank. The species inhabits river systems and holds a stable population with no immediate conservation concerns.
Hylogomphus viridifrons
Green-faced Clubtail
Hylogomphus viridifrons, commonly known as the Green-faced Clubtail, is a dragonfly species in the family Gomphidae. It is a medium-sized clubtail characterized by distinctive green facial coloration. The species is found in eastern North America, where it inhabits clean, flowing streams and rivers.
Idiataphe
Metallic Pennants
Idiataphe is a genus of medium-sized dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as metallic pennants. Species range from 34–42 mm in length. The genus occurs from northeastern Argentina through Brazil and the Antilles to Florida. Four species are currently recognized, including the metallic pennant (I. cubensis).