 | Order Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies of North America The order Odonata is divided into two main suborders: Zygoptera (damselflies) and Anisoptera (dragonflies). The common name "dragonfly" also is used for the whole order. More than one-half of all species are tropical but odonates of both major suborders occur in every region except Antarctica. To some extent, the presence and abundance of odonates may be taken as an indicator of ecosystem quality. Local populations can be strongly affected by any change in water flow, turbidity, etc., or in aquatic or waterside vegetation. The greatest numbers of species are found at sites which offer a wide variety of microhabitats, prey, and clean water. -Table of Contents- |
 Ruby Meadowhawk Male Sympetrum rubicundulum |
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 Eastern Pondhawk Female Erythemis simplicicollis |
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 Green Darner Female Anax junius |
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| Odonates are completely harmless - they do not sting or bite. Indeed, they are beneficial in the same respect spiders and other predators are beneficial - they keep the burgeoning insect population in check. Many of these species prey on each other; I often see dragonflies with damsels in their clutches. Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures. Fossil records, clearly recognisable as the ancestors of our present day odonates, go back to Carboniferous times which means that the insects were flying more than 300 million years ago, predating dinosaurs by over 100 million years and birds by some 150 million. |
 Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum |  Eastern Amberwing female Perithemis tenera |
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 Twelve-spotted Skimmer Male Libelulla pulchella |
 Calico Pennant Dragonfly Celithemis elisa |
 Our green darners chosen for Humane Society Calendar |
| Zygoptera (Damselflies) | ||||
 Stream Bluet Enallagma exsulans |
 American Rubyspot Damselfly |
 Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas |
 Northern Bluet Damselfly | |
 Familiar Bluet |  Eastern Forktail Damselfly |  Blue-fronted Dancer | ||
 Powdered Dancer Argia moesta |
 Slender Spreadwing |  Fragile Forktail Ischnura posita | ||
