The insect family Coenagrionidae is placed in the order Odonata and the suborder Zygoptera. The Zygoptera are the damselflies, which although less known than the dragonflies, are no less common. More than 1,300 species are in this family, making it the largest damselfly family. The family Coenagrionidae has six subfamilies: Agriocnemidinae, Argiinae, Coenagrioninae, Ischnurinae, Leptobasinae, and Pseudagrioninae.
The Calopterygidae are a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera. They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies, demoiselles, or jewelwings. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm, are often metallic-coloured, and can be differentiated from other damselflies by the broader connection between the wings and the body, as opposed to the abrupt narrowing seen in other damselfly families. The family contains some 150 species.
Argia is a genus of damselflies of the family Coenagrionidae and of the subfamily Argiinae. It is a diverse genus which contains about 114 species and many more to be described. It is also the largest genus in Argiinae. They are found in the Western Hemisphere. They are commonly known as dancers. Although the genus name comes from Ancient Greek: ἀργία, romanized: argia, lit. 'laziness', dancers are quite active and alert damselflies. The bluer Argia species may be confused with Enallagma species.
Erythemis is a genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family, commonly known as pondhawks. These medium- to large-sized skimmers are voracious predators of other insects up to their own size, including other dragonflies.
The dainty damselfly, also known as the dainty bluet, is a blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This is a scarce species found mainly in southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest Asia, and Central America. C. scitulum are Odonata predators that can reach a length of 30–33 mm at maturity and have hind-wing lengths of 15–20 mm. The males and females do exhibit differing features through their colouration making them easily distinguishable. As shown in the photo to the left, segment eight is blue in colour followed by black markings on segment nine, whereas the females are mostly black near the rear with smaller blue markings. Although they are relatively simple to sex, they are easily confused with the common blue damselfly.
The Norfolk damselfly or dark bluet is a species of blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae native to Eurasia.
Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium-sized skimmer dragonflies, known as darters in the UK and as meadowhawks in North America. The more than 50 species predominantly live in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere; no Sympetrum species is native to Australia.
Enallagma is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae commonly known as bluets. Adults range in length from 28 mm to 40 mm. Males are usually bright blue and black while the coloration of females varies by species. Bluets can be distinguished from the similar vivid dancer by wing position; at rest, bluets' wings hang down on either side of their body, while vivid dancers hold their wings above their body. Bluets also have shorter leg spines.
Calopteryx is a genus of large damselflies belonging to the family Calopterygidae. The colourful males often have coloured wings whereas the more muted females usually have clear wings although some develop male (androchrome) wing characteristics. In both sexes, there is no pterostigma.
Ischnura is a genus of damselflies known as forktails in the family Coenagrionidae. Forktails are distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection at the tip of the abdomen which gives the group their common name.
Tramea is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, the skimmers and perchers. Species of Tramea are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. They typically have colored bases to their otherwise translucent hindwings. In particular when they fly, this creates the impression of their carrying bags at the start of their abdomens. They are known commonly as saddlebags or saddlebags gliders.
Coenagrion interrogatum, the Subarctic bluet, is a blue and black, pond damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. The species was first described by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps in 1876.
Nehalennia is a genus of very small damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae. Most of the species are commonly known as Sprites. One species, N. speciosa occurs in Eurasia; the rest in North and South America.
Philoganga is a genus of damselflies, the only genus in the family Philogangidae.
Coenagrion lyelli is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as a swamp bluet. It is a medium-sized damselfly, the male is bright blue with black markings. It is found in south-eastern Australia, where it inhabits streams, pools and lakes.
Coenagrion angulatum, the prairie bluet, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in North America.
Enallagma semicirculare, the claw-tipped bluet, is a species of damselfly generally found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has also been sighted in southern Texas.
