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 and are often metallic-coloured. The family contains some 150 species.
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.
Aciagrion is a genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Aciagrion are small and slender damselflies with a small head. They are found at still waters including swamps. Aciagrion is widely distributed in the tropics from Africa, through Indonesia to Australia. They are commonly known as Slims.
Agriocnemis is a genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Agriocnemis is distributed widely across Africa, South-east Asia, Indonesia, Australia and islands in the Pacific. They are small insects, commonly known as wisps.
Argiocnemis is a genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Species of Argiocnemis are generally small to medium-sized damselflies, darkly coloured with pale markings. They occur in Africa, Indian Ocean islands, South-east Asia, New Guinea and Australia.
Ceriagrion is a genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Species of Ceriagrion are small to medium size, generally brightly coloured damselflies. They are found across the Old World, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Indolestes is a genus of damselflies in the family Lestidae. Species of Indolestes can be medium-sized, dull coloured dragonflies. They are found from India through Asia, Australia and the Pacific.
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.
Lestes is a genus of damselfly in the family Lestidae. The family hold their wings at about 45 degrees to the body when resting. This distinguishes them from most other species of damselflies which hold the wings along, and parallel to, the body when at rest.
Prodasineura is a genus of damselflies in the family Protoneuridae. It contains the following species:
Pseudagrion is the largest genus of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, with over 140 species. Its range includes most of Africa, much of Asia, and Australia. Africa holds most of the diversity with almost 100 species. It has occupied most of the freshwater habitats in its range, and dominates damselfly communities in habitats as different as desert pools, equatorial rainforests and montane streams.
Rhinocypha is a genus of damselflies in the family Chlorocyphidae.
Neurothemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are found in India, Asia, Australia and the Pacific region. Most Neurothemis species are red in color.
Neurobasis is a genus of damselflies belonging to the family Calopterygidae. They are found from India, through south-east Asia, Indonesia and New Guinea.
Vestalis apicalis, or the black-tipped forest glory, is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is found in India and Sri Lanka.
Archibasis is a genus of damselflies belonging to the family Coenagrionidae. These damselflies are generally medium-sized with bright colouring. Archibasis occurs in southern Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia.
Heliocypha is a genus of jewel damselflies in the family Chlorocyphidae. There are about nine described species in Heliocypha, found in Indomalaya.
