Cedar Creek
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Insects of Cedar Creek
Order ODONATA
(Dragonflies/Damselflies)
Nearly 425 species of Dragonflies and Damselflies
have been described for North America. Two Suborders are recognized:
the Anisoptera (Dragonflies) and Zygoptera (Damselflies). Minnesota families
of Anisoptera (Cordulegasteridae, Gomphidae, Aeshnidae, Macromiidae, Corduliidae,
Libellulidae) are robust-bodied and rest with outstretched wings. The Zygoptera
(Lestidae, Coenagrionidae, Calopterygidae) are more fragile and rest with
wings folded atop the abdomen. 123 species are reported for Minnesota,
but it is likely that with thorough collecting this total may reach 150.
The Zygoptera of the state are particularly in need of attention.
Useful references include: The Dragonflies of North America (Needham and
Westfall, 1958), The Odonata of Canada and Alaska (3 vols. Walker 1956,
1958 and Walker and Corbet, 1975). Minnesota works include a series
of articles in the Journal of the Minn. Academy of Science (Hamrum et.al.
1965-72), and a Survey of the Dragonflies of selected Minnesota Rivers
(Haarstad, 1994; DNR misc. publication)
The Odonata of CCESR have been well collected
(Haarstad 1980). More than 60 species representing 7 families have
been taken. Both larvae and adults are voracious predators. The aquatic
larvae spend from a few months to 4 years before emerging as adults.
Dragonfly larvae can move by jet propulsion, forcibly expelling water from
their rectal chamber. They catch prey with a peculiar hydrostatically
operated protrusible labium on the underside of the head. This group will
be considered by family.
LINKS
Distribution Summary
of North American Anisoptera by Bick and Mauffray
Distribution Summary
of North American Zygoptera by Mauffray and Bechenbach
Michigan
Odonata Survey incl Larval Keys by Ethan Bright
| 1. | Family PETALURIDAE | Graybacks | (2 spp E and W mountains) |
| 2. | Family CORDULEGASTERIDAE | Biddies | (Not described at CCESR) |
| 3. | Family GOMPHIDAE | Clubtails | |
| 4. | Family AESHNIDAE | Darners | |
| 5. | Family MACROMIIDAE | River Cruisers | (Not described at CCESR) |
| 6. | Family CORDULIIDAE | Green-eyed Skimmers | |
| 7. | Family LIBELLULIDAE | Pond Skimmers | |
| 8. | Family CALOPTERYGIDAE | Broad-winged Damsels | |
| 9. | Family LESTIDAE | Spread-winged Damsels | |
| 10. | Family PROTONEURIDAE | Tropical Damsels | (2 spp Texas) |
| 11. | Family COENAGRIONIDAE | Narrow-winged Damsels |
| webmaster@cedarcreek.umn.edu | Last updated May, 2000 |