University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notees - Families of Odonata

1. Anisoptera (dragonflies). Fore and hindwings dissimilar in shape.
   1. Gomphidae (Clubtails). 93 spp.
      1. Size - 50-75 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Triangles similar in shape, equidistant from arculus.
         2. Costal and subcostal crossveins not in line.
         3. Brace vein present.
         4. Eyes separate.
      3. Habitat. Streams and lake shores.
      4. Other. Land on bare flat surfaces.
   2. Aeshnidae (Darners). 38 spp.
      1. Size - about 75 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Triangles similar in shape, equidistant from arculus.
         2. Costal and subcostal crossveins not in line.
         3. Brace vein present.
         4. Eyes contiguous.
      3. Habitat. Marshes and ponds.
      4. Other. Powerful fliers.
   3. Macromiidae (Belted Skimmers, River Skimmers). 10 spp.
      1. Size - large.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Triangles dissimilar in size and shape, not equidistant from arculus.
         2. Costal and subcostal veins in line.
         3. No brace vein.
         4. Anal loop rounded, no bisector.
      3. Habitat. Boggy pond shores, lake shores, large streams.
      4. Other. Eyes bright green in life.
   4. Corduliidae (Green-eyed Skimmers). 50 spp.
      1. Size - 35 to 75 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Triangles dissimilar in size and shape, not equidistant from arculus.
         2. Costal and subcostal veins in line.
         3. No brace vein.
         4. Anal loop elongate, bisected.
      3. Habitat. Ponds, swamps, bogs.
      4. Other. Eyes often bright green in life.
   5. Libellulidae (Common Skimmers). 93 spp.
      1. Size - 20 to 75 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Triangles dissimilar in size and shape, not equidistant from arculus.
         2. Costal and subcostal veins in line.
         3. No brace vein.
         4. Anal loop 'toed', boot-shaped.
      3. Habitat. Ponds and swamps.
      4. Other. Most common group. Often with patterned wings. Oviposition often by hovering and touching abdomen on surface.
2. Zygoptera (Damselflies). Fore and hindwings similar in size and shape. Oviposition often underwater. Guarding by male.
   1. Calopterygidae (Broad-winged damselflies). 8 spp.
      1. Size - relatively large, about 40 or 50 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. 10 or more antenodal crossveins.
         2. Wings not stalked.
      3. Habitat. Along streams.
      4. Other. Wings often dark.
   2. Lestidae (Spread-winged damselflies). 18 spp.
      1. Size - 25-50 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. 2 antenodal crossveins.
         2. wings stalked.
         3. M3 nearer arculus than nodus.
      3. Habitat. Swamps.
      4. Other. Hold body vertical when at rest with wings slightly spread. Larger than Coenagrionids on average.
   3. Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged damselflies). 93 spp.
      1. Size - 25-50 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. 2 antenodal crossveins.
         2. Wings stalked.
         3. M3 nearer nodus than arculus.
      3. Habitat. Variety of places.
      4. Other. Most diverse group of damselflies. Weak fliers. Hold body horizontially when at rest, wings together over back. Sexually dimorphic.

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