Coenagrionidae

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Phylum:Arthropoda
Clade:Pancrustacea
Class:Insecta
Order:Odonata
Coenagrionidae
Male Ceriagrion glabrum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Superfamily: Coenagrionoidea
Family: Coenagrionidae
Kirby, 1890[1]
Diversity
at least 110 genera

Coenagrionidae is a family of damselflies, also known as pond damselflies, in the order Odonata and the suborder Zygoptera.[2] 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.[3]

This family is referred to as the narrow-winged damselflies or the pond damselflies.[4] The Coenagrionidae enjoy a worldwide distribution, and are among the most common of damselfly families. This family has the smallest of damselfly species. More than 110 genera of the family Coenagrionidae are currently accepted.[5][3]

The name may be derived from Greek coen meaning shared or common and agrio meaning fields or wild.

Characteristics

forewing of the variable damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)
  • Usually have a black pattern
  • Ground color may be green, blue, yellow, orange, or purple
  • Narrow, stalked, usually colorless and clear wings
  • Two antenodal cross veins
  • Vein M3 arising nearer to nodus than arculus

Adults are seen around various habitats including ponds and wetlands. The females lay their eggs among living or dead submerged vegetation, and in some species, even crawl about underwater depositing their eggs. The nymphs are usually found in debris or among living or dead submerged plant material.[6]

Genera

Eastern billabong fly (Austroagrion watsoni, female)
Coromandel marsh dart Ceriagrion coromandelianum
Blue-winged helicopter, Megaloprepus caerulatus, with the largest wingspan of any odonate
Saffron-faced blue dart Pseudagrion rubriceps
Western forktail damselfly attempting on-the-fly catches. Each repeated in slow motion. The second prey landed, escaping capture. Finally closeup devouring medium sized fly.
Western forktail damselflies interacting.
Common blue damselfly, genus Enallagma, family Coenagrionidae

These genera belong to the family Coenagrionidae:[7][8][3]

See also

References

External links

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