A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the related group, damselflies (Zygoptera), which are similar in structure, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural colouration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each.
Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at least the Lower Permian, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
The Corduliidae, also knowns as the emeralds, emerald dragonflies or green-eyed skimmers, is a family of dragonflies. These dragonflies are usually black or dark brown with areas of metallic green or yellow, and most of them have large, emerald-green eyes. The larvae are black, hairy-looking, and usually semiaquatic. This family include species called "baskettails", "emeralds", "sundragons", "shadowdragons", and "boghaunters". They are not uncommon and are found nearly worldwide, but some individual species are quite rare. Hine's emerald dragonfly, for example, is an endangered species in the United States.
The Hine’s emerald(Somatochlora hineana) is a dragonfly species found in the United States and Canada. It was listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1995. It is characterized by a unique dark green thorax and two yellow lateral stripes. Hine's emeralds measure 2.5 inches in length with a 3.3 inch wingspan. Populations exist in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, and in Ontario, Canada. Individuals live for roughly two to four years, inhabiting wetlands, forests, and marshes.
The northern emerald is a middle-sized species of dragonfly first described by Johan Wilhelm Zetterstedt in 1840. The male can be recognised by its pincer-like appendages and its narrow-waisted body. The female has distinctive orange-yellow spots on (only) the third segment of the abdomen.
Somatochlora, or the striped emeralds, is a genus of dragonflies in the family Corduliidae with 42 described species found across the Northern Hemisphere.
The incurvate emerald is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in Canada and the United States. Its natural habitat is fens.
Somatochlora sahlbergi, the treeline emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found at high latitudes across northern Eurasia and North America, and occurs farther north than any other dragonfly.
The brilliant emerald, Somatochlora metallica, is a middle-sized species of dragonfly. It is the largest and greenest of the Somatochlora species; 50–55 millimetres (2.0–2.2 in) long.
Somatochlora flavomaculata, also called yellow-spotted emerald, is a common species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. Its habitat stretches from France to Siberia and Mongolia. It frequents marshy areas and wet meadows.
Zyxomma petiolatum, known by the common names long-tailed duskdarter, brown dusk hawk and dingy duskflyer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries, New Guinea, northern Australia and islands in the Pacific.
The blue corporal, also known as little corporal, is a dragonfly in the Libellulidae, or skimmer family. First described as Libellula deplanata by Jules Pierre Rambur in 1842, it is common across much of the eastern United States.
Somatochlora elongata, the ski-tipped emerald or ski-tailed emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora albicincta, the ringed emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora hudsonica, the hudsonian emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora semicircularis, the mountain emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora ensigera, the plains emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in central North America.
Somatochlora linearis, the mocha emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora forcipata, the forcipate emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America.
Somatochlora alpestris, or the alpine emerald, is a species of dragonfly from the family Corduliidae. It is found in European highlands, southern Scandinavia, and east to southern Siberia in Asia.
female
male cerci
