Abstract
The illustrated identification key to the nymphs of the seven Anisoptera families of North America includes traditional distinctions and several new characters. Petaluridae are distinguished primarily by a prominent spiny process on the palpus and four movable spurs on all tibial apices. The Aeshnidae and Gomphidae have a flat labium, distinguishing them from the remaining four families that have a scoop-shaped labium; aeshnids have 6- or 7-segmented antennae, gomphids have 4-segmented antennae. The distal margin of the palpus in Cordulegastridae nymphs has large angular teeth and the ligula has a median bifid process. Macromiidae have mesothoracic femora 1.2–1.6 times the width of the head, compared to the Corduliidae and Libellulidae in which the mesothoracic femora are usually shorter than the head is wide (ratio 0.6–1.0, rarely 1.1). The main character separating the two most difficult families, Corduliidae and Libellulidae, is that Corduliidae nymphs have a definite ventromedial groove on the prementum. Additional diagnostic characters are provided.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
exception in Libellulidae is Planiplax (ratio of mesothoracic femur L:head W = 1.1).
- 2.
exception in Corduliidae is Neurocordulia molesta, which has a triangular frontal projection (Fig. 11.52a).
References
Asahina S (1954) A morphological study of a relic dragonfly Epiophlebia superstes Selys (Odonata, Anisozygoptera). The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, 153 pp
Bechly G (1996) Morphologische untersuchungen am Flügelgeäder der rezenten Libellen und deren Stammgruppenvertreter (Insecta; Pterygota; Odonata) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der phylogentischen Systematik und des Grundplanes der Odonata. Petalura (Special Volume) 2:1–402
Bedjanič M (2000) Description of the last larval instar of Epophthalmia vittata cyanocephala Hagen, 1867 (Anisoptera: Corduliidae). Odonatologica 29(1):57–61
Belle J (1992) Studies on ultimate instar larvae of Neotropical Gomphidae, with the description of Tibiagomphus gen. nov. (Anisoptera). Odonatologica 21(1):9–27
Butler SG (2002) The larva of Macromia euterpe Laidlaw, 1919 (Anisoptera: Macromiidae). Odonatologica 31(4):383–388
Bybee SM, Ogden TH, Branham MA, Whiting MF (2008) Molecules, morphology and fossils: a comprehensive approach to odonate phylogeny and the evolution of the odonate wing. Cladistics 24:477–514
Carle FL, Louton JA (1994) The larva of Neopetalia punctata and establishment of Austropetaliidae fam. Nov. (Odonata). Proc Entomol Soc Am 96(1):147–155
Carle FL (1995) Evolution, taxonomy, and biogeography of ancient Gondwanian Libelluloides, with comments on anisopteroid evolution and phylogenetic systematics (Anisoptera: Libelluloidea). Odonatologica 24(4):383–424
Corbet PS (1953) A terminology for the labium of larval Odonata. The Entomologist 86:191–196
De Marmels J (2007) Neocordulia caudacuta sp. nov. from the Coastal Cordillera, Venezuela (Odonata: Corduliidae). Int J Odonatol 11(1):15–20
Fraser FC (1957) A reclassification of the order Odonata. R Zool Soc NSW, 133 pp
Gloyd LK (1959) Elevation of the Macromia group to family status (Odonata). Entomol News 70(8):197–205
Ishida K (1996) Monograph of Odonata larvae of JapanHokkaido University Press, Sapporo, 447 pp
Lieftinck MA (1931) A revision of the genus Epophthalmia Burm. (Odon., Corduliinae), with notes on habitats and larvae. Treubia 12(1):21–80
Needham JG, Westfall MJ Jr, May ML (2014) Dragonflies of North America, 3rd edn. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville. 657 pp
Novelo-Gutierrez R, Ramírez-Ulate A (1995) The larva of Neocordulia batesi longipollex Calvert, 1909 (Odonata: Corduliidae). J N Y Entomol Soc 103(2):180–184
Rehn AC (2003) Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata. Syst Entomol 28:181–239
Theischinger G, Fleck G (2003) A new character useful for taxonomy and phylogeny of Anisoptera (Odonata). Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France 108(4):409–412
Theischinger G, Hawking J (2006) The complete guide to dragonflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood
Tillyard RJ (1917) The biology of dragonflies. Cambridge University Press, London, 396 pp
Walker EM (1958) The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. In: Part III.: the Anisoptera, four families, vol 2. University of Toronto Press, Toronto. 318 pp
Watson MC (1956) The utilization of mandibular armature in taxonomic studies of anisopterous nymphs. Trans Am Entomol Soc 81:155–202
Wilson KDP, Theischinger G (1996) Further notes on Macromia Rambur from Hong Kong, with descriptions of the larvae (Anisoptera: Corduliidae). Odonatologica 25(3):275–282
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tennessen, K. (2019). Key to the Families. In: Dragonfly Nymphs of North America. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97776-8_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97776-8_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97775-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97776-8
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)