Aquatic Insects of Michigan

by Ethan Bright, Museum of Zoology Insect Division and School of Natural Resources and Environment
University of Michigan

Erythrodiplax (Libellulidae) (Dragonlets) of Michigan - Identification

This group of small to medium-sized dragonflies are principally Neotropical, with several species extending further north and one species, Erythrodiplax umbrata (Linnaeus, 1758), having been recently collected in southeastern Michigan (Craves and O'Brien 2007), representing a northward extension of its range in Ohio.

Adults ...Nymphs are ...

Nymphs are often found in lakes and ponds with aquatic vegetation...Life cycle information on Erythrodiplax is limited, but is probably univoltine in our area but, but for other species further south may be bivoltine (Kelts 1979).

Taxonomic references: Needham et al. 2010, Paulson 2011

Craves JA, O'Brien DS. 2007. Erythrodiplax umbrata (Odonata: Libellulidae): new for Michigan. The Great Lakes Entomologist 40(1-2): 95-97.
Kelts LJ. 1979. Ecology of a tidal marsh corixid, Trichocorixa verticalis (Insecta, Hemiptera). Hydrobiologia 64: 37-57.
Needham JG, Westfall MJ, May ML. 2010. Dragonflies of North America, Third Edition. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, Florida, USA. xiv + 657 p.
Paulson D. 2011. Dragonflies and damselflies of the East. Princeton Field Guides. Princeton University Press, Pinceton, New Jersey, USA. 538 p.
Wissinger SA. 1988. Spatial distribution, life history and estimates of survivorship in a fourteen- species assemblage of larval dragonflies. Freshwater Biology 20: 329-340.

Page created: July 17, 1998 - Last updated: February 19, 2017 (EB)