Aquatic Entomology: Tour of the
Orders
Odonata (Dragonflies and
Damselflies)
Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonfly Lifecycle
(Anisoptera)
Oviposition on
or in submerged
plant stems
Aeshinid nymph labium retracted and extended:
Dragonflies (Suborder: Anisoptera):
Cercus
Paraproct
Epiproct
Dragonflies (Suborder: Anisoptera):
Aeshnidae:
Cordulegastridae:
Cordulegastridae:
Cordulegastridae:
Corduliidae:
Corduliidae:
Gomphidae:
New phylogeny of Gomphidae
has shown that some previous
listed subgenera of Gomphus
should be elevated to genus
status. Hence here in New
England the genus Gomphus
no longer occurs and is
replaced by 3 new genera:
Gomphurus, Hylogomphus, and
Phanogomphus.
Small apical segment
In a widely used regional key
(Peckarsky et al. 1990) a
modification to couplet 24a
can be made to separate these
two genera. At the national
level a longer key patch is
required. The best
comprehensive key to genera
and species of Gomphidae in
North America is 3rd ed. of
Needham et al. 2014.
Gomphid
nymph with
elongate 3rd
antennal
segment
and small
apical
segment.
Phanogomphus : Previously Gomphus (Gomphus) spp.
Needham et al. 2014
Fig. A, B =
Gomphurus
Fig. C, D =
Hylogomphus
Needham et al. 2014
Gomphurus
Hylogomphus
Needham et al. 2014
Libellulidae
Libellulidae
Libellulidae
Libellulidae
Macromiidae:
Macromia illinoiensis
Petaluridae:
Petaluridae: Tachopteryx
thoreyi – Missouri, USA
Damselflies (Suborder: Zygoptera)
Calopterygidae: Calopteryx sp.
Coenagrionidae: Enallagma sp.
Coenagrionidae
Ischnura sp.
Calopteryx maculatum
Lestidae
Lestes sp.
Calopterygidae:
Coenagrionidae:
Argia sp.
Coenagrionidae:
Color
difference, but
not thickened
Lestidae:
Archilestes sp. Caudal
Lamella
Protoneuridae (Threadtails):
Distribution Southwest: Texas