Dragonflies of the Southwest (Odonata)
Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Southwest


Please scroll down to find the links that interest you.
The on-line guide is below the links to dragonfly guides and essentials.


Common Dragonflies of the Southwest,
A Beginner's Pocket Guide.
by Kathy Biggs
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see more information about the book.
Published March 2004
Updates & corrections
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Dragonflies of North America,
A Color and Learn Book
with Activities
by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis
Click to enlarge cover and to

see more information about the book.
Published June 2007
* 2nd printing March 2008!
For children, grandchildren & your inner child!

Dragonflies of North America,
Color and Learn
with Activities
For children, grandchildren & your inner child!
by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis
Click to enlarge cover and to

see more information about the book.
First published in May 2007
Print out and color the pages more than once!
 The BELOMO 10x Triplet, Loupe and lanyard
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see more information
about the hand lens and lanyard.
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DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
of the Southwest


page #s in on-line guide below refer to the page # for the species in
Common Dragonflies of the Southwest
A Beginner's Pocket Guide
<-- by Kathy Biggs
Enter the on-line guide below.
First decide whether you want to look at Dragonflies or Damselflies,
then click on the image or the word to be taken to either the Dragonfly or the Damselfly site.
This site is 100% privately maintained. If you've found it helpful, a donation to help keep in on the web would be appreciated, thanks! K. Biggs

Sketch of a dragonfly body
showing the body parts...pg. 10
by Barbara Chasteen

DRAGONFLIES - Anisoptera:



Large, heavy-bodied; ordinarily larger than damselflies.
Wings are held open & flat or down & forward when perched.
Large eyes are spaced very close together and in most families actually touch, creating a seam down the center.
Strong fliers; a few are even migratory.
Males have three terminal abdominal appendages and a bump (genitalia) under their second abdominal segment.
All females have only two terminal abdominal appendages and in many families they also have an ovipositor.
Most dragonflies lay their eggs directly into the water.
The southwest has at least 117 species representing all seven American dragonfly families.

Sketch of a damselfly
showing the body parts ...pg. 90
by Barbara Chasteen

DAMSELFLIES - Zygoptera


Slender-bodied, generally smaller and more frail than dragonflies. Most have an eyespot in back of each eye.
When perched, all four wings are usually held together alongside or sail- like over the abdomen.
Eyes set far apart on head, appear hammer headed.
Weak fliers, usually found not too far from water.
Males have a bump (genitalia) under their 2nd abdominal segment and four terminal abdominal appendages.
Females have a wide ovipositor on the lower end of their abdomen and only two terminal abdominal appendages.
Damselflies lay their eggs directly into vegetation.
15 SW genera representing 4 of the 5 American families.

Click here to see the life cycle of a dragonfly in a photo story with text!

Click on a map below to be taken to a website that features only the dragonflies of that particular state.
Nevada
(not yet available) 		Colorado
(not yet available)

I'm glad you enjoy the dragonflies and damselflies too! THANK-YOU for visiting!!

Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing

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Kathy Biggs