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 Click to enlarge cover and to see more information about the book. Published March 2004 Updates & corrections 2010 Use back button to return	The West's 1st dragonfly guide: Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West by Dennis Paulson 2009	- NEW! NOW Available - Spring 2012 - Dragonflies of California and the Greater Southwest A Beginner's Guide by Kathy Biggs - MARCH 2012 Price $5.88: Click above to buy from Amazon.com or below to buy from Kathy directly (using PayPal)
Dragonflies of North America, A Color and Learn Book with Activities (also available on a CD) by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis	- NEW - *Build a Pond for Wildlife* by Kathy Biggs NEW! May 2012 - CD or eBook Attract dragonflies to your yard!	BELOMO 10x Triplet, Loupe & lanyard Useful for seeing those tiny dragonfly parts!

Buy directly from us, using the links above
(all ship within 2 days and the Pocket Guide series books are signed by the author)
Or order the book thru Amazon.com
by clicking on the name of the book to the right that you wish to buy.

Dragonflies of California and Common Dragonflies of the Southwest
Common Dragonflies of the Southwest
Dragonflies of North America, Color and Learn
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West
Build a Pond for Wildlife

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

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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.
As of 2010, the southwest has at least 132 species of Anisoptera in 45 genera, 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.
As of 2010, the southwest has at least 80 damselfly species in 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.

and discussion group: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/

Nevada
(not yet available)

and discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/co_odes/

and

and

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