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.
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.
Bradinopyga is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. It contains the following species:
Diceratobasis is a genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. The larva of species in this genus live in water that is trapped in bromeliads.
Erpetogomphus is a genus of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. They are commonly known as ringtails. Most of the species are predominantly green coloured and the males have a moderately clubbed tail. A fossil species is known from the Miocene Mexican amber
Gynacantha is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. The females have two prominent spines under the last abdominal segment. This gives the genus name and the common name two-spined darners; they are also known as duskhawkers.
Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. They are commonly known as Rubyspots because of the deep red wing bases of the males. The name is from Ancient Greek: ἑταίρα (hetaira), courtesan. H. rudis, the Guatemalan rubyspot, is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List.
Leptobasis melinogaster, the cream-tipped swampdamsel, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. Its natural habitats are intermittent rivers and freshwater marshes.
Neoneura is a genus of damselfly in the threadtail family Protoneuridae. They are found in the Neotropics, from Cuba and Texas to Argentina.
Palaemnema is a genus of dragonflies in the family Platystictidae. They are commonly known as shadowdamsels and are found in the New World, from Arizona to Peru and French Guiana.
Phyllopetalia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Austropetaliidae. They are commonly known as Redspots.
Progomphus is a genus of medium-sized dragonflies in the family Gomphidae. They are found in the Americas and are largely tropical. They are one of the few Gomphids with coloured wings.
Perithemis is a genus of dragonflies commonly known as Amberwings. They are characterized by their small size and the amber wings of the male.
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.
Telebasis is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae. The genus occurs in the Neotropics. Most of the species are red with a few blue species in South America.
Orthemis is a genus of large Neotropical dragonflies, commonly called Tropical King Skimmers. The males are generally red and the females brown.
Cannaphila is a small Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly called narrow-winged skimmers. One species, C. insularis, occurs in North America. There are three species.
Iridictyon is a small genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. It contain only two species, both known only from Guyana and Venezuela:
Philoganga is a genus of damselflies in the family Philogangidae.
Ceriagrion olivaceum is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. it is commonly known as rusty marsh dart. This species can be found in south and southeast Asia.
