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Dragonflies (Suborder Anisoptera)
Invertebrates Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Dragonflies (Suborder Epiprocta)

General: Dragonflies (Suborder Anisoptera) are small, flying creatures often seen zooming and hovering around streams and pools of water. At rest, dragonflies usually hold their two sets of wings straight out to the sides; this is in contrast to damselflies that usually rest with the wings held together over or along the body. In addition, the eyes of dragonflies are part of the head, while those of damselflies are on short stalks to the side of the head. What we know as dragonflies are the adult forms of these bugs; larval dragonflies are aquatic bugs.

These active creatures are harmless to humans, but they are voracious predators of small flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes. The larvae, however, can provide a bit of a bite. There are some good places to watch dragonflies around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera.

Photo Family Species Around Las Vegas
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) Aeshnidae (Darners) Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) Aeshnidae (Darners) Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus) Gomphidae (Clubtails) White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus)
Gray Sanddagon (Progomphus borealis) Gomphidae (Clubtails) Gray Sanddagon (Progomphus borealis)
Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata)
Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax)
Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)
Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche)
Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita)
Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata)
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Red Rock Skimmer (Paltothemis lineatipes) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Red Rock Skimmer (Paltothemis lineatipes)
Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea)
Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa)
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)
White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum) Libellulidae (Skimmers) White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes)
Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) Libellulidae (Skimmers) Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240208

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