AKA
CALIFORNIA CALOPTERYGIDAE
with COMMON NAMES OF DAMSELFLIES
as adopted by the Dragonfly Society of the Americas
(Argia, vol.8, no.2, 1 August 1996)
DECEMBER 31, 2001 (flight data up-dated) The CA distribution maps were last updated on
NOVEMBER 27, 2000.
|
Common DRAGONFLIES of California A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs |
To learn more about these fascinating insect's life cycle go
to
"Damsels and Dragons - the Insect Order Odonata". This article by Ron Lyons,
which first appeared in the Internet Pond Society's "The Internet Ponder's Online
Magazine", was written in 1997 for the "Critter's in Your Pond" column I was
writing the time.
Information for this site has been collected and edited by Kathy Biggs who assumes full
responsibility.
By using the links in the first column you can directly view pictures
from this site. These usually are images taken within CA or neighboring states
and may download more quickly than those linked to in the `*Photo/scan at
website' column since those are hosted at other sites. Photos in the first
column contributed by Bob Behrstock ,
Rod Miller, Chris Heaivilin and/or
Bob Claypole and others are of excellent quality, while my own are just
snapshots. To find out more about where and when any photo was taken (or to
compliment the photographer or find out about the equipment used) click on their
name or [mail]. Tim Manolis has also
sent me images which he has `snapped' from videos he has taken. Tim would like
to hear from anyone who is interested in dragonflies in the Central Valley
(Sacramento and Butte counties in particular, and also Plumas and Lassen
counties).
I hope you find this website helpful. I'm always open to suggestions and
would love your contributions! Please let me know if you have any problems with
this site or its contents. Kathy Biggs
Distribution Maps are maintained by Tim Manolis. They
are based on information originally collected by Dennis Paulson (see address
below) and they are now being updated by new sightings and specimens found in
museum collections. If you find a species in a new county please contact
Kathy and/or
Tim.
The species indicated below have been found in
California.
References to pictures are as follows:
Audubon Guide = Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Insects and Spiders
CA Insects = California Insects by Jerry Powell and Charles Hogue
CA Dragonflies =
Common Dragonflies of California, A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs
LA Insects = Insects of the Los Angeles Basin by Charles Hogue
Western Forest =The Audubon Society Nature Guides - Western Forest
Kansas Checklist
= Checklist of Kansas Damselflies - The Kansas School Naturalist 1998
Dragonflies of Washington = Dragonflies of Washington by Dennis Paulson,
Seattle Audubon Society 1999
* = photo/scan(s)/key available to see at this Internet
website
| Scientific Name
Common Name Archaic Name |
Remarks/Description
Habitat/Flight Dates |
Picture in book
*Photo/scan at website |
| |
|
|
| FAMILY
Calopterygidae
Broad-winged Damselflies AKA Jewel-winged Damselflies |
2 CA genera
sizes: large, lengths 25 - 51 mm description: wings broaden gradually from the base;
|
 
Photos by Doug Ellis, Ken Wilson Photo by Ken Wilson |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Calopteryx
The Jewelwings |
aka Agrionidae
1 CA species description: broad wings with metallic bodies;
behavior: tend to flutter habitat: very aquatic |
Photo by Doug Ellis CA Dragonflies p. 80 |
| | | |
| Calopteryx aequabilis
River Jewelwing aka californica photo male
new 10-01
|
size: medium, length 43 - 52 mm
male: jewel-like bright metallic green/blue
thorax and
abdomen; colors vary depending on your view angle;
female: duller; wings have a contrasting pale stigma;
behavior: often perch head-down;
habitat: fast waters of large wooded streams/rivers;
flight period: May - August distribution: northern counties only |
CA Dragonflies p. 80 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 4
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
*Photos by James Durbin and Jim Bangma
*Photo by Mark O'Brien *Photo of nymph head at Odonata Larvae of Michigan
*Photo by Blair Nikula *Photo #3 at New York Odes Online Field Guide
*Photo by Stuart Tingley |
| | | |
|
Common DRAGONFLIES of California A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs Includes damselflies | Click here to return to
The CA Damselflies family site
Send e-mail to Kathy Biggs if you
would like to request a
|
This is a BETA version key and it includes damselflies. It needs field testing. (There is also an OLD key using wing venation and sexual appendages in "Aquatic Insects of California" by Unsinger, but this has been out of print for several years. The California Library system should have copies of Unsinger's book available for in-library reference work).
Damsels and Dragons - the Insect Order Odonata.
To encourage dragonflies and damselflies, build a pond "and they will come!"
Read Kathy's article The Pleasures of Wildlife Ponding by clicking here.
or
or
here to go to the Biggs's Pond Wildlife Sightings List with links to photos of some of our visitors
or
Click here to see pictures of the Biggs's pond and its development.
If you have any corrections or additions to this site please send e-mail to Kathy Biggs