On a global basis, Odonata is one of the larger orders of aquatic insects with over 5,000 species, though much of this diversity is concentrated in the tropics (450 North American species). Except for a few species that inhabit damp leaf litter, all odonates have aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. The often colorful adults are familiar to most people, especially dragonflies which, at rest, hold their two pairs of large wings horizontally from the body. Damselfly adults are often smaller and hold their wings together above the body at rest. The larvae of both can be easily distinguished from other aquatic insects by their distinctive mouthparts that resemble a hinged mask that covers their "face" Being predators, this unique feature is used for seizing and grasping prey. Damselfly larvae do have 3 elongated or paddle-like "tails" which are generally thick and rigid compared to the "tails" of mayflies and stoneflies. Some small damselfly larvae might be confused with larvae of these other groups (similar looking "tails") but the distinctive mouths of odonates are always apparent. The majority of Odonata species prefer or require standing or sluggish water for larval developement. Most of our odonate collections are of larvae from rivers/streams so most of the state's 110 (about) species are not represented here. The Iowa Odonata Survey presents collection localities and photos of adult dragonflies and damselflies. The "odon" of Odonata is Greek for tooth and refers to the mouth parts of adults.

Aeshnidae

Aeshna Image not Avaliable Aeshna palmata Image not Avaliable Aeshna umbrosa Anax junius Anax Image not Avaliable Boyeria vinosa Nasiaeschna pentacantha

Calopterygidae

Calopteryx Image not Avaliable Hetaerina Image not Avaliable Hetaerina americana Image not Avaliable

Coenagrionidae

Amphiagrion Image not Avaliable Argia Coenagrion or Enallagma Image not Avaliable Ischnura

Corduliidae

Epitheca Image not Avaliable Neurocordulia molesta Image not Avaliable Somatochlora Image not Avaliable Somatochlora ensigera Image not Avaliable Somatochlora tenebrosa Image not Avaliable Somatoclora filosa Image not Avaliable

Gomphidae

Arigomphus cornutus Image not Avaliable Arigomphus Image not Avaliable Dromogomphus Image not Avaliable Dromogomphus spinosus Gomphus externus Image not Avaliable Gomphus fraternus Gomphus graslinellus Image not Avaliable Gomphus Image not Avaliable Gomphus vastus Image not Avaliable Ophiogomphus carolus Image not Avaliable Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus smithi Progomphus Image not Avaliable Progomphus obscura Image not Avaliable Stylurus amnicola Stylurus Image not Avaliable Stylurus notatus Image not Avaliable Stylurus plagiatus Image not Avaliable Stylurus spiniceps Image not Avaliable

Lestidae

Archilestes Image not Avaliable Lestes Image not Avaliable Lestes sp mentum Image not Avaliable Lestes unguiculatus Image not Avaliable

Libellulidae

Erythemis simplicicollis Image not Avaliable Libellula luctosa Image not Avaliable Libellula Image not Avaliable Libellula pulchella Image not Avaliable Pachydiplax longipennis Image not Avaliable Pantala hymenaea Image not Avaliable Perithemis Image not Avaliable Plathemis lydia Image not Avaliable Tramea Image not Avaliable

Macromiidae

Didymops transversa Image not Avaliable Macromia illinoiensis Image not Avaliable Macromia taeniolata Image not Avaliable