Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Odonata are generally divided into two categories. The dragonflies are in the suborder Anisoptera (from anisos meaning unequal and ptera meaning wing, so dragonflies are “unequal wings” referring to differences in the forewings and hindwings), and the damselflies are in the suborder Zygoptera (zygos meaning a yoke, ptera meaning wings, so damselflies are “yoked wings,” referring to the way they are paired). In North America, there are more than 600 species of odonates, with seven families of anisoptera (dragonflies) and four families of zygoptera (damselflies) represented. In Texas there are at least 67 recorded damselfly species and 140 dragonfly species, making more than 200 total.
In Texas, six families of Dragonflies are present: the Petaltails (Petaluridae), the Darners (Aeshnidae), the Clubtails (Gomphidae), the Spiketails (Cordulegastridae), the Cruisers and Emeralds (Corduliidae), and the very common and well represented Skimmers (Libellulidae). The four families of Damselflies are: the Broad-Winged Damsels (Calopterygidae), the Spreadwings (Lestidae), the Threadtails (Protoneuridae), and the well represented Pond Damsels (Coenagrionidae), which includes the Dancers, Bluets and Forktails.
Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Family Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Family Aeshnidae (Darners)
Family Corduliidae (Cruisers, Baskettails and Emeralds)
Family Coenagrionidae (Pond Damsels)
Family Calopterygidae (Broad-Winged Damsels)
Family Lestidae (Spreadwings)