Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
Details...
 
Photos from the last gathering (Minnesota 2007)

TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData

Family Calopterygidae - Broad-winged Damselflies

Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Suborder Zygoptera (Damselflies)
Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)
Explanation of Names
CALOPTERYGIDAE: from the Greek "kalos" (beautiful) + "pteron" (wing or feather) ...you might call these the beautiful-winged damselflies
Size
body length 35-66 mm
Identification
wings broader - relative to their length - than in the pond damselflies (Coenagrionidae) or spreadwings (Lestidae)
Range
most of North America
Habitat
larvae are aquatic; adults usually found on vegetation near water
Season
spring through fall; peak numbers in summer
Food
larvae and adults prey on insects and other arthropods
Internet References
live adult images and other info; 7 species in 2 genera (Ed Lam, New York)
live adult images and other info; 5 species in 2 genera (Jim Bangma, New Jersey)
live adult images and other info; 4 species in 2 genera (Ann Johnson, Iowa)
live adult images of 5 species in 2 genera (Giff Beaton, Georgia)
live adult images of 3 species in 2 genera (Dave Czaplak, Maryland)
live adult images of 3 species in 2 genera (Glenn Corbiere, Massachusetts)