The petaltails of the family Petaluridae are among the most ancient of the extant true dragonflies, having fossil members from as early as the Jurassic, over 150 million years ago.
Coenagrionidae or are a family of damselflies, also known as pond damselfies, 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 Platycnemididae are a family of damselflies. They are known commonly as white-legged damselflies. There are over 400 species native to the Old World. The family is divided into several subfamilies.
Macromidia is a genus of dragonfly in family Synthemistidae, which is earlier treated as a subfamily of Corduliidae. According to World Odonata List, this genera is best considered incertae sedis. It contains the following species:
The Protoneuridae are a family of damselflies. Most species are commonly known as threadtails, while others are commonly known as bambootails.
The Megapodagrionidae are a family of damselflies, commonly called flatwings for their habit of spreading out the hind wings horizontally when at rest.
The Synlestidae are a family of damselflies commonly known as sylphs or malachites. They occur in South Africa, Australia, and South America.
Isostictidae is a small family of medium-sized to large damselflies restricted to Australia, New Caledonia, and New Guinea. It contains 12 genera and more than 40 species. Members of this family resemble species in the threadtail family (Protoneuridae).
The Synthemistidae are the family of dragonflies commonly known as tigertails, or sometimes called southern emeralds. This family is sometimes treated as a subfamily of Corduliidae. This is an ancient dragonfly family, with some species occurring in Australia and New Guinea. Most species are small in size and have narrow abdomens. Their nymphs are bottom dwellers, and resist droughts by burying themselves very deeply. Synthemistid dragonflies frequently prefer marshy areas, as well as fast-flowing streams. The family Synthemistidae is sometimes called Synthemidae.
The Lestoideidae are a family of damselflies occurring in South-east Asia, New Guinea and Australia. The family comprises two genera and nine species.
Diphlebiidae is no longer recognised as a biological family. It was the name given to a small family of damselflies, the azure damselflies, with species in two genera: Diphlebia and Philoganga. Diphlebia is found in Australia and Philoganga is found in Southeast Asia. They are large and thick-bodied damselflies. They rest with their wings spread out. The Diphlebiidae were also known as Philogangidae.
Thaumatoneuridae is a family of damselflies in the order Odonata. There are at least three genera and about five described species in Thaumatoneuridae.
Philoganga is a genus of damselflies, the only genus in the family Philogangidae.
Telephlebiidae is a family of dragonflies endemic to eastern and south-western Australia. They are medium-sized to very large dragonflies, generally found around streams.
Cordulephya is a genus of dragonflies in the family Cordulephyidae, endemic to eastern Australia. The species are small to tiny in size, coloured black, or purplish-black, with yellowish markings. Unusually for Anisoptera, these dragonflies rest with their wings folded above their body in a similar manner to many species of damselfly. They are commonly known as shutwings.
Lindeniidae is a family of dragonflies occurring in Australia.
Austrocorduliidae is a family of dragonflies occurring in South Africa and Australia, which until recently was considered to be part of the Corduliidae family. Members of Austrocorduliidae are small to medium-sized, dark dragonflies with clear wings.
Gomphomacromiidae is a family of dragonflies occurring in Chile and Australia, which until recently was considered to be part of the Corduliidae family.
Lestoidea is a superfamily of damselflies of the order Odonata.
Philosinidae is a family of damselflies in the order Odonata. There are at least 2 genera and about 12 described species in Philosinidae, found mainly in southeast Asia.
