Around 7,000 species of true dragonflies are alive today, and, together with the closely related damselflies, they form the group Odonta, which goes back 325 million years.
United States dragonfly diversity remains fairly strong, with close to 350 species in the seven different dragonfly families documented to date. Over one-third of native dragonfly species, approximately one hundred and ten (110) belong to the family Libellulidae, or skimmers, the ever present dragonflies at local ponds.
The Global Diversity
With more than 5,000 identified species worldwide, dragonflies exhibit an impressive range of diversity. However, scientists believe there are still many undiscovered species, suggesting that the actual number could be higher.
Types of Dragonflies for Dragonfly Identification
Many types of dragonflies and damselflies, insects in the scientific order Odonata, inhabit water areas throughout the United States. In fact, the presence of Odonata species in an area provides an indicator of water quality.
Size differentiates damselflies and dragonflies, with dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera), the larger group of the two.
Dragonfly identification, while not as popular as butterfly identification, continues to draw a crowd of enthusiasts.
Dragonfly identification and damselfly identification starts by noting that in addition to size, wing position also helps differentiate between the two. Usually dragonflies rest with their flat, like an airplane.
