Below will be a collection of dragonfly and damselfly photos from North America, including Mexico. Go to my African Odonate page or my page with a few odonates from Peru as well, if you are interested in some images from those areas. Though I've photographed birds for 30 years, the Odonata were all new subjects for me starting in about 2002. My sincere thanks to John Abbott, Giff Beaton, Bob Behrstock, Sid Dunkle, Ted Eubanks, Dennis Paulson, Chuck Sexton, Martin Reid and John Ingram for helping me learn more about the Odonates and for coaching me through many field identifications during the time when I was just getting started with these fascinating bugs. Many of the below photos are from Texas, but I am adding many images of odonates from other states as I travel. The reader should visit the Odonata Central web site maintained by Dr. John Abbott at the University of Texas at Austin. This site contains information on all the odonata of the U.S. with an emphasis on the south-central United States. Many links to other

Most of the photos displayed here are of wild bugs which were photographed totally free. There are a few exceptions, which were taken of a dragonfly "in hand" to show close-up detail of the thorax, etc. Any "in hand" shot will be obvious. Some odonate species seldom perch for photographs. On some occasions I have photographed "posed" dragonflies. Posed dragonflies are netted and are to be saved as specimens, but are arranged in a natural position for photographs before being collected. I have done this only for species which are almost impossible to photograph naturally and when the insect was to be collected anyway. Such photos will be labeled as "posed" in all cases.

For a series of images of a young dragonfly emerging from its exuviae go here.

Photography: I have often been asked about my own methods for taking photos of odonates. I have written an article in which I fully explain what I do and how I do it. Hopefully this article will be helpful to some other photographers. Digital Odonate Photography: My Personal Techniques


Note: Within each family group of odonates below, the insects are arranged alphabetically by genus and species.

Species Count: 372      Image Count: 6376
* Indicates new image(s) added in the last 90 days

Broad-winged Damsel Family (Calopterygidae)

River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis)
Superb Jewelwing (Calopteryx amata)
Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis)
Sparkling Jewelwing (Calopteryx dimidiata)
Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana)
Highland Rubyspot (Hetaerina cruentata)
Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia)
Canyon Rubyspot (Hetaerina vulnerata)

Spreadwing Damsel Family (Lestidae)

Great Spreadwing (Archilestes grandis)
Plateau Spreadwing (Lestes alacer)
Southern Spreadwing (Lestes australis)
Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)
Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus)
Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas)
Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus)
Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)
Rainpool Spreadwing (Lestes forficula)
Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis)
Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis)
Chalky Spreadwing (Lestes sigma)
Blue-striped Spreadwing (Lestes tenuatus)
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)
Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax)

Shadowdamsels (Platystictidae)

Desert Shadowdamsel (Palaemnema domina)

Threadtail Family (Protoneuridae)

Coral-fronted Threadtail (Neoneura aaroni)
Amelia's Threadtail (Neoneura amelia)
Orange-striped Threadtail (Protoneura cara)

Narrow-winged (or Pond) Damsel Family (Coenagrionidae)

Mexican Wedgetail (Acanthagrion quadratum)
Western Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum)
Eastern Red Damsel (Amphiagrion saucium)
Black-and-white Damsel (Apanisagrion lais)
California Dancer (Argia agrioides)
Paiute Dancer (Argia alberta)
Cerulean Dancer (Argia anceps)
Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis)
Comanche Dancer (Argia barretti)
Seepage Dancer (Argia bipunctulata)
Yaqui Dancer (Argia carlcooki)
Coppery Dancer (Argia cuprea)
Emma's Dancer (Argia emma)
Spine-tipped Dancer (Argia extranea)
Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis)
Lavender Dancer (Argia hinei)
Kiowa Dancer (Argia immunda)
Leonora's Dancer (Argia leonorae)
Sooty Dancer (Argia lugens)
Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)
Apache Dancer (Argia munda)
Aztec Dancer (Argia nahuana)
Fiery-eyed Dancer (Argia oenea)
Amethyst Dancer (Argia pallens)
Springwater Dancer (Argia plana)
Argia pulla-no common name (Argia pulla)
Golden-winged Dancer (Argia rhoadsi)
Sabino Dancer (Argia sabino)
Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula)
Tarascan Dancer (Argia tarascana)
Blue-tipped Dancer (Argia tibialis)
Tonto Dancer (Argia tonto)
Dusky Dancer (Argia translata)
Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)
Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum)
Subarctic Bluet (Coenagrion interrogatum)
Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum)
River Bluet (Enallagma anna)
Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum) formerly E. cyathigerum
Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum)
Azure Bluet (Enallagma aspersum)
Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens)
Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale)
Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)
Alkali Bluet (Enallagma clausum)
Cherry Bluet (Enallagma concisum)
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)
Attenuated Bluet (Enallagma daeckii)
Sandhill Bluet (Enallagma davisi)
Turquoise Bluet (Enallagma divagans)
Atlantic Bluet (Enallagma doubledayi)
Burgundy Bluet (Enallagma dubium)
Big Bluet (Enallagma durum)
Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium)
Stream Bluet (Enallagma exsulans)
Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum)
Hagen's Bluet (Enallagma hageni)
Little Bluet (Enallagma minusculum)
Neotropical Bluet (Enallagma novaehispaniae)
Scarlet Bluet (Enallagma pictum)
Florida Bluet (Enallagma pollutum)
Arroyo Bluet (Enallagma praevarum)
Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum)
Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum)
Vesper Bluet (Enallagma vesperum)
Blackwater Bluet (Enallagma weewa)
Painted Damsel (Hesperagrion heterodoxum)
Desert Forktail (Ischnura barberi)
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)
Plains Forktail (Ischnura damula)
Mexican Forktail (Ischnura demorsa)
Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis)
Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata)
Lilypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotti)
Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)
Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita)
Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii)
Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Cream-tipped Swampdamsel (Leptobasis melinogaster)
Red-tipped Swampdamsel (Leptobasis vacillans)
Sphagnum Sprite (Nehalennia gracilis)
Southern Sprite (Nehalennia integricollis)
Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene)
Caribbean Yellowface (Neoerythromma cultellatum)
Duckweed Firetail (Telebasis byersi)
Marsh Firetail (Telebasis digiticollis)
Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva)
Striped Firetail (Telebasis filiola)

Petaltail Family (Petaluridae)

Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi)
Black Petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni)

Darner Family (Aeshnidae)

Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis)
Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra)
Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)
Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)
Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata)
Persephone's Darner (Aeshna persephone)
Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa)
Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis)
Amazon Darner (Anax amazili)
Blue-spotted Comet Darner (Anax concolor)
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Comet Darner (Anax longipes)
Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami)
Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata)
Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa)
Blue-faced Darner (Coryphaeschna adnexa)
Regal Darner (Coryphaeschna ingens)
Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros)
Harlequin Darner (Gomphaeschna furcillata)
Bar-sided Darner (Gynacantha mexicana)
Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha)
Riffle Darner (Oplonaeschna armata)
Arroyo Darner (Rhionaeschna dugesi)
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)
Spatterdock Darner (Rhionaeschna mutata)
Turquoise-tipped Darner (Rhionaeschna psilus)
Caribbean Darner (Triacanthagyna caribbea)

Clubtail Family (Gomphidae)

Broad-striped Forceptail (Aphylla angustifolia)
Narrow-striped Forceptail (Aphylla protracta)
Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni)
Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer)
Stillwater Clubtail (Arigomphus lentulus)
Bayou Clubtail (Arigomphus maxwelli)
Gray-green Clubtail (Arigomphus pallidus)
Jade Clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus)
Southeastern Spinyleg (Dromogomphus armatus)
Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus)
Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus)
White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus)
Yellow-legged Ringtail (Erpetogomphus crotalinus)
Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus)
Eastern Ringtail - Mexican Form
Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia)
Dashed Ringtail (Erpetogomphus heterodon)
Serpent Ringtail (Erpetogomphus lampropeltis)
Mustached Clubtail (Gomphus adelphus)
Banner Clubtail (Gomphus apomyius)
Clearlake Clubtail (Gomphus australis)
Beaverpond Clubtail (Gomphus borealis)
Sandhill Clubtail (Gomphus cavillaris)
Cherokee Clubtail (Gomphus consanguis)
Handsome Clubtail (Gomphus crassus)
Septima's Clubtail (Gomphurus septima)
Harpoon Clubtail (Gomphus descriptus)
Blackwater Clubtail (Gomphus dilatatus)
Diminutive Clubtail (Gomphus diminutus)
Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)
Plains Clubtail (Gomphus externus)
Midland Clubtail (Gomphus fraternus)
Twin-striped Clubtail (Gomphus geminatus)
Tamaulipan Clubtail (Gomphus gonzalezi)
Pronghorn Clubtail (Gomphus graslinellus)
Hodges's Clubtail (Gomphus hodgesi)
Cocoa Clubtail (Gomphus hybridus)
Splendid Clubtail (Gomphus lineatifrons)
Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus)
Columbia Clubtail (Gomphus lynnae)
Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (Gomphus militaris)
Gulf Coast Clubtail (Gomphus modestus)
Oklahoma Clubtail (Gomphus oklahomensis)
Ozark Clubtail (Gomphus ozarkensis)
Piedmont Clubtail (Gomphus parvidens)
Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor)
Sable Clubtail (Gomphus rogersi)
Tennessee Clubtail (Gomphus sandrius)
Dusky Clubtail (Gomphus spicatus)
Cobra Clubtail (Gomphus vastus)
Green-faced Clubtail (Gomphus viridifrons)
Westfall's Clubtail (Gomphus westfalli)
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)
Northern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus parvulus)
Southern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus vernalis)
Grappletail (Octogomphus specularis)
Arizona Snaketail (Ophiogomphus arizonicus)
Brook Snaketail (Ophiogomphus aspersus)
Southern Snaketail (Ophiogomphus australis)
Riffle Snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus)
Boreal Snaketail (Ophiogomphus colubrinus)
Edmund's Snaketail (Ophiogomphus edmundo)
Appalachian Snaketail (Ophiogomphus incurvatus)
Maine Snaketail (Ophiogomphus mainensis)
Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni)
Sinuous Snaketail (Ophiogomphus occidentis)
Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis)
Pale Snaketail (Ophiogomphus severus)
Sioux Snaketail (Ophiogomphus smithi)
St. Croix Snaketail (Ophiogomphus susbehcha)
Westfall's Snaketail (Ophiogomphus westfalli)
Ringed Forceptail (Phyllocycla breviphylla)
Five-striped Leaftail (Phyllogomphoides albrighti)
Four-striped Leaftail (Phyllogomphoides stigmatus)
comparison page (of the two leaftails; field identification)
Progomphus clendoni-no common name (Progomphus clendoni)
Belle's Sanddragon (Progomphus bellei)
Gray Sanddragon (Progomphus borealis)
Common Sanddragon (Progomphus obscurus)
Eastern Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus)
Interior Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus sigmastylus)
Riverine Clubtail (Stylurus amnicola)
Brimstone Clubtail (Stylurus intricatus)
Elusive Clubtail (Stylurus notatus)
Olive Clubtail (Stylurus olivaceus)
Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus)
Zebra Clubtail (Stylurus scudderi)

Spiketail Family (Cordulegastridae)

Delta-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster diastatops)
Apache Spiketail (Cordulegaster diadema)
Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis)
Twin-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata)
Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
Sarracenia Spiketail (Cordulegaster sarracenia)
Ouachita Spiketail (Cordulegaster talaria)

Cruiser Family (Macromiidae)

Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa)
Bronzed River Cruiser (Macromia annulata)
Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) AKA Illinois River Cruiser and Georgia River Cruiser
Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica)
Gilded River Cruiser (Macromia pacifica)
Royal River Cruiser (Macromia taeniolata)

Emerald Family (Corduliidae)

American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii)
Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera)
Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis)
Broad-tailed Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia michaeli)
Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis)
Orange Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia xanthosoma)
Prince Baskettail (Epitheca [Epicordulia] princeps)
Slender Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] costalis)
Common Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] cynosura)
Dot-winged Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] petechialis)
Mantled Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] semiaquea)
Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera)
Robust Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] spinosa)
Unknown Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] species?)
Selys' Sundragon (Helocordulia selysii)
Plains Emerald (Somatochlora ensigera)
Forcipate Emerald (Somatochlora forcipata)
Coppery Emerald (Somatochlora georgiana)
Hine's Emerald (Somatochlora hineana)
Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)
Ocellated Emerald (Somatochlora minor)
Ozark Emerald (Somatochlora ozarkensis)
Clamp-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora tenebrosa)
Brush-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora walshii)

Skimmer Family (Libellulidae)

Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata)
Four-spotted Pennant (Brachymesia gravida)
Tawny Pennant (Brachymesia herbida)
Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax)
Masked Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga pertinax)
Gray-waisted Skimmer (Cannaphila insularis)
Amanda's Pennant (Celithemis amanda)
Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa)
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata)
Ornate Pennant (Celithemis ornata)
Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna)
Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia)
Checkered Setwing (Dythemis fugax)
Mayan Setwing (Dythemis maya)
Black Setwing (Dythemis nigrescens)
Swift Setwing (Dythemis velox)
Dythemis sterilis -no common name (Dythemis sterilis)
Black Pondhawk (Erythemis attala)
Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)
Claret Pondhawk (Erythemis mithroides)
Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis plebja)
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)
Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa)
Plateau Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax basifusca)
Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice)
Red-faced Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax fusca)
Little Blue Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax minuscula)
Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata)
Metallic Pennant (Idiataphe cubensis)
Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata)
White Corporal (Ladona exusta)
Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia)
Boreal Whiteface (Leucorrhinia borealis)
Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida)
Crimson-ringed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis)
Hudsonian Whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)
Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta)
Belted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima)
Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis)
Bar-winged Skimmer (Libellula axilena)
Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche)
Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita)
Neon Skimmer (Libellula croceipennis)
Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea)
Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida)
Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)
Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Needham's Skimmer (Libellula needhami)
Hoary Skimmer (Libellula nodisticta)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata)
Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata)
Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)
Marl Pennant (Macrodiplax balteata)
Ivory-striped Sylph (Macrothemis imitans)
Straw-colored Sylph (Macrothemis inacuta)
Jade-striped Sylph (Macrothemis inequiunguis)
White-tailed Sylph (Macrothemis pseudimitans)
Macrothemis ultima-no common name (Macrothemis ultima)
Hyacinth Glider (Miathyria marcella)
Spot-tailed Dasher (Micrathyria aequalis)
Three-striped Dasher (Micrathyria didyma)
Thornbush Dasher (Micrathyria hagenii)
Micrathyria ocellata-no common name (Micrathyria ocellata)
Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella)
Carmine Skimmer (Orthemis discolor)
Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea)
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Red Rock Skimmer (Paltothemis lineatipes)
Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)
Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea)
Slough Amberwing (Perithemis domitia)
Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa)
Mexican Scarlet-tail (Planiplax sanguiniventris)
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Desert Whitetail (Plathemis subornata)
Filigree Skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus)
Blue-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum)
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum)
Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)
Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum)
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)
Red-veined Meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum)
White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes)
Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum)
Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicintum)
Spot-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum signiferum)
Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Arch-tipped Glider (Tauriphila argo)
Evening Skimmer (Tholymis citrina)
Vermilion Saddlebags (Tramea abdominalis)
Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti)
Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina)
Antillean Saddlebags (Tramea insularis)
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

For a series of images of a young dragonfly emerging from its exuvia go here.

Other Shots

Dragonfly Predators: Some shots of some other creatures who prey on dragons.
Unknown dragonfly from the Galapagos Islands
Unknown damselfly from Chiapas, Mexico
Unknown Baskettail (Epitheca [Tetragoneuria] species?)

Photography: I have often been asked about my own methods for taking photos of odonates. I have written an article in which I fully explain what I do and how I do it. Hopefully this article will be helpful to some other photograhers.

Digital Odonate Photography: My Personal Techniques