Odonates of Arkansas
Damselflies and Dragonflies
Dragonflies and damselflies are insects in the Order Odonata. Both groups are considered to be aquatic insects because the adults live near freshwater habitats (adult dragonflies are strong fliers, however, and may be found long distances from water) and their larval stage lives in the water. Adults are predatory and may feed on mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects, leading to a common name of "mosquito hawk." All odonates have membranous wings, and the bodies of most are long, slender, and often are of bright, metallic colors. Dragonflies and damselflies can be distinguished from one another by the position in which the wings are held when the insect is at rest. Dragonflies hold their wings out horizontally and most damselflies position the wings vertically when at rest. The bodies of damselflies also tend to be more slender than those of dragonflies.
Damselflies
Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)
Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), male
Size: 4.6 - 5.6 cm (1.8 - 2.2 in.)
Description: The body of males is metallic green, and the wings are jet black.
Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), female
Size: 4.6 - 5.6 cm (1.8 - 2.2 in.)
Description: Bodies of females are metallic but less so than males. White stigmas are located near the tips of the wings.
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana), male
Size: 3.8 - 4.6 cm (1 1/2 - 1 4/5 in.)
Description: The abdomen of males is greenish-bronze
to dark brown, and a ruby red spot is located at the base
of the transparent wings.
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana), female
Size: 3.8 - 4.6 cm (1 1/2 - 1 4/5 in.)
Description: Females have a greenish abdomen and a brown spot positioned at the base of the wings.
Family Coenagrionidae (Pond Damsels)
Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula), male
Photo: G. Harp
Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea), male
Distribution: statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Springwater Dancer (Argia plana), male
Photo: G. Harp
Dusky Dancer (Argia translata), male and female
Mated pair in tandem
Distribution: statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Openwing Damsel (Chromagrion conditum), male
Uncommon
Distribution: spotty distribution, statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Skimming Bluet (Enallagma germinatum), male
Uncommon
Distribution: statewide
Photos: G. Harp
Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens), male
Common
Distribution: statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum), male
Common
Distribution: statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii), male
Photo: G. Harp
Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata), male
Common
Distribution: statewide
Lilypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotti), male
Distribution: Spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita), male
Abundant
Distribution: all counties
Photo: G. Harp
Family Lestidae (Spreadwings) - hold wings at 45° angle
Great Spreadwing (Archilestes grandis), female
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Southern Spreadwing (Lestes australis), male
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis), male
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Dragonflies
Family Aeshnidae (Darners)
Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata), male
Distribution: streams, spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha), male
Distribution: lowland wetlands, spotty statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)
Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Family Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Interior Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus sigmastylus), male
Photo: G. Harp
Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus), male
Distribution: large rivers statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Jade Clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus), male
Distribution: lowland wetlands, mostly Mississippi delta, Arkansas River Valley
Photo: G. Harp
Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus), male
Distribution: streams statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus), male
Distribution: lakes, large ponds statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), male
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus), male
Uncommon
Distribution: spotty distribution, statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Ozark Clubtail (Gomphus ozarkensis), male
Distribution: endemic to Ozark, Ouachita Mountains
Photo: G. Harp
Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus), male
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa)
Size: 3.0 cm (1.2 in.)
Description: The wing pattern is the primary characteristic used for identification of this species. Body markings are yellow, becoming red in males.
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
Size: 3.8 cm (1.5 in.)
Description: The orange wings patterned with black are a distinguishing trait of this species. The bodies of juveniles are marked with yellow.
Left Photos: G. Harp
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), female
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: Females are bright green with rectangular,
blackish markings on the abdomen.
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), male
Photo: G. Harp
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), mature male
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: The bodies of mature males are powder blue with white cerci located at the tip of the abdomen. The face is green.
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), semimature male
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: Juvenile males are green and later become blue (the color change progresses from the abdomen toward the thorax). The semimature male shown in the photo above is mostly blue with some green remaining.
Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata), male
Photo: G. Harp
Eastern Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea), male
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: Males are dark blue with a black face. Wings are marked by black and white stigmas located near the tips of the wings and by a black basal streak.
Distribution: common statewide
(Photo posed)
Eastern Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea), female
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: The wingtips of females are brown, and the face is tan. Markings on the body include a yellow diamond located in an anteriolateral position (to the front and side) on the thorax and a yellow, lateral abdominal stripe.
Distribution: common statewide
(Photo posed)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), male
Description: The wings of mature males are marked by twelve, brown spots, in addition to eight, white spots (females and immature males have the brown spots, but lack the white ones). The basal area of the hindwings in also whitish in coloration. Markings on the body females and immature males include a yellow stripe along the side of a brown abdomen.
Photo: G. Harp
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Size: 4.6 cm (1.8 in.)
Description: Distinguishing characteristics of males include white wing bands and a large black patch located at the base of the wings. The basal area of the wings of females also is black, and yellow stripes decorate the sides of the abdomen.
Right Photos: G. Harp
Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida), male
Description: Both males and females have gold markings on the sub-marginal, leading edge of the wings. The thorax of young males has yellow markings on the sides.
Photo: G. Harp
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), male
Size: 2.5 - 4.3 cm (1.0 -1.7 in.)
Description: The following traits are characteristic of mature males: a white face, metallic green eyes, a black and yellow striped thorax, and a pale blue, tapered abdomen. Two black streaks cross an amber spot located at the base of the hindwings. The abdomen of females is short and blunt, and the hindwings lack black streaks.
(Photo posed)
Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)
Size: 4.8 cm (1.9 in.)
Description: The yellow abdomen is tapered, and the wings are long and broad.
(Photo posed)
Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), male
Photo: G. Harp
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), male
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: The abdomen of males is white. A wide, brown band is located at the center of the wings, and a small, white dot is positioned at the base of the wings. Juvenile males have a similar abdominal pattern to females.
Left Photos: G. Harp
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), female
Size: 4.3 cm (1.7 in.)
Description: The wings of females are decorated with brown spots at the base, center, and wingtips. Oblique, white dashes
mark the sides of the abdomen of females.
Blue-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum)
Size: 3.6 cm (1.4 in.)
Description: The forehead is non-metallic blue or green, the thorax is gray, and the legs are tan. The abdomen is mostly red in males and some females (brown in other females) and ringed with black.
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Size: 3.3 cm (1.3 in.)
Description: The slender abdomen is pale red with a small amount of black. The forehead is red, and the legs are yellow to reddish-brown. The abdomen and forehead of juveniles is brown.
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum), male
Photo: G. Harp
Four-spotted Pennant (Brachymesia gravida), male
Uncommon
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata), male
This specimen is teneral, i.e. recently emerged
Distribution: common statewide. Photo: G. Harp
Family Macromiidae (Cruisers)
Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa), male
Spring flier
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
River Cruiser (Macromia sp.)
Size: Up to 8.4 cm (3.3 in.)
Description: The head and thorax of River Cruisers (genus Macromia) reflect iridescent dark green or blue. Often, the base of the wings is shaded with brown. Yellow markings are present on the abdomen.
(Photo posed)
Royal River Cruiser (Macromia taeniolata), male
Photo: G. Harp
Orange Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia xanthosoma), male
Dusk flier
Distribution: spotty distribution statewide
Photo: G. Harp
Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi)
Size: 7.6 cm (3.0 in.)
Description: This large, mostly gray dragonfly usually perches on tree trunks. The eyes are separated, and a long, narrow stigma is present near the tips of the wings.
Distribution: spotty distribution, bogs/spring seeps
(Right photo posed)
Bottom Photo: G. Harp
- Nature Trivia Homepage
- Department of Biology
- Animals
- Amphibians and Reptiles
- Arthropods
- Moths and Butterflies
- Odonates of Arkansas
- Spiders of Arkansas
- Cicadas: Fun for Children, Omens of War for Politicians
- The Praying Mantis and the Mantisfly: Very Different Insects That Converge on a Body Form
- Sticks That Move
- A Flying Scorpion Is Harmless
- The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle: a Common Non-native Species
- The Harvestman, or Grand-daddy Longlegs, Is Not a Spider
- Parasitoids: Small Insects That Can Be Beneficial As Biological Controls of Pests
- A Black Light Makes Two Arkansas Invertebrates Glow in the Dark
- Mammals
- Fishes
- Birds
- Fungi
- Plants
- Miscellaneous
