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.
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; 15 species are native to North America. No Sympetrum species is native to Australia.
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.
Allocnemis, formerly Chlorocnemis, is a genus of damselflies in the family Platycnemididae.
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 are known from the Miocene Mexican amber
Heteragrion is a genus of damselflies in the family Heteragrionidae.
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.
Leptobasis is a small genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae. They are commonly known as swampdamsels. The genus is neotropical and one species, L. melinogaster, has been recorded in Texas. They are slender and the females have very long ovipositors.
Mesocnemis is a genus of African damselflies in the white-legged damselfly family (Platycnemididae). They are commonly known as Riverjacks.
Neoneura is a genus of damselfly in the threadtail family Coenagrionidae. 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.
Paraphlebia zoe is a species of damselfly in the family Thaumatoneuridae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.
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.
Thaumatoneura inopinata is a species of damselfly, sometimes called the cascade damselfly or giant waterfall damsel, and the only member of the genus Thaumatoneura. It is unusual in flying among the falling water and spray from waterfalls in moist tropical or subtropical forests in Costa Rica.
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.
Micrathyria is a Neotropical genus of dragonflies. They have bright green eyes and white faces. Most species have a markedly striped thorax. They are commonly known as Tropical Dashers.
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.
