Aquatic Insects of Michigan

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

Odonata (Dragon- and Damselflies) of Michigan

Key to the Odonata of Michigan

Introduction

Our current state of knowledge about distribution of Odonata in Michigan is generally very good, especially in part due to recent work of the Michigan Odonata Survey and many volunteers since 1997. These efforts have added many new state records, and other species listed in publications whose documentation was either wrong or dubious have been removed.

Michigan now has 169 species in 51 genera recorded, with a possible additional 6 species and 1 genus that might occur in our state. Almost all the species of Michigan Odonata have had their nymphal stages reliably associated with adults, and most can be identified to species-level. (However, some genera have species that are very difficult to differentiate, requiring thorough diagnoses and/or association with (or rearing to) the adult stage). Species denoted in bold blue have been recorded in Michigan; other species are likely to occur based on their known distribution. You can use the Find function in your web browser to locate families, genera, and species. Synonomous species (indented) are listed below the current valid species with its taxonomic status indicated.

Aeshnidae Rambur, 1842: 181 (Darners)


Aeshna Fabricius, 1775 (Mosaic Darners)
Aeshna canadensis Walker, 1908: 384, 389 - Canada Darner

(syn.) Anax maritimus Provancher, 1895 (nomen oblitum)
Aeshna clepsydra Say, 1839: 12 - Mottled Darner
Aeshna constricta Say, 1839: 11 - Lance-tipped Darner
Aeshna eremita Scudder, 1866: 213 - Lake Darner
(syn.) Aeshna hudsonica Selys, 1875: 242
Aeshna interrupta interrupta Walker, 1908: 381, 387 - Variable Darner
Aeshna juncea (Linnaeus, 1758: 544 as Libellula) - Sedge Darner

(syn.) Aeshna undulata Bartenev, 1930
Aeshna sitchensis Hagen, 1861: 119 - Zigzag Darner
Aeshna subarctica Walker, 1908: 385, 390, 461 - Subarctic Darner

(syn.) Aeshna elisabethae Djakonov, 1922
Aeshna tuberculifera Walker, 1908: 385 - Black-tipped Darner
Aeshna umbrosa umbrosa Walker, 1908: 380, 390 - Shadow Darner
Aeshna verticalis Hagen, 1861: 122 - Green-striped Darner

(syn.) Aeshna propinqua Scudder, 1866: 215

Anax Leach, 1815: 137 (Green Darners)
Anax junius (Drury, 1773: 112 as Libellula) - Common Green Darner
(syn.) Anax spiniferus Rambur, 1842: 188
Anax longipes Hagen, 1861: 118 - Comet Darner

Basiaeschna Selys, 1883: 735 (Springtime Darner)
Basiaeschna janata (Say, 1839: 13 as Aeschna)- Springtime Darner
(syn.) Aeschna minor Rambur, 1842: 207

Boyeria McLachlan, 1896: 424 (Spotted Darners)
Boyeria grafiana Williamson, 1907: 1 - Ocellated Darner (historical record from Isle Royale, C. W. Sabrosky 1936 (Kormondy 1958), not recollected in Michigan since 1950 but known from streams in Northeastern Minnesota along Lake Superior)
Boyeria vinosa (Say, 1839: 13 as Aeschna) - Fawn Darner
(syn.) Aeschna quadriguttata Burmeister, 1839: 837

Epiaeschna Hagen, 1877 (Swamp Darner)
Epiaeschna heros (Fabricius, 1798: 285 as Aeshna) - Swamp Darner
(syn.) Aeschna multicincta Say, 1839: 9

Gomphaeschna Selys, 1871 (Pygmy Darners)
Gomphaeschna antilope (Hagen, 1874: 354 as Aeshna) – Taper-tailed Darner
Gomphaeschna furcillata (Say, 1839: 14 as Aeshna) - Harlequin Darner
(syn.) Gynacantha quadrifida Rambur, 1842: 209

Nasiaeschna Selys, 1900 (Cyrano Darner)
Nasiaeschna pentacantha (Rambur, 1842: 209 as Aeschna) - Cyrano Darner

Rhionaeschna Förster, 1909 (Neotropical Darners)
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Hagen, 1861: 121 as Aeschna) - western, expanding range into WI, expect in w. UP MI (Wisconsin Odonata Survey, accessed April 19, 2020)
Rhionaeschna mutata (Hagen, 1861: 124 as Aeschna) - Spatterdock Darner

Cordulegastridae Newman, 1853 (Spiketails)

Cordulegaster Leach, 1838 (Spiketails)
Cordulegaster (Zoraena) bilineata (Carle, 1983: 61 as Zoraena) - Brown Spiketail
Cordulegaster (Zoraena) diastatops (Selys, 1854: 101 as Thecaphora) - Delta-spotted Spiketail

(syn.) Cordulegaster lateralis Scudder, 1866: 211
Cordulegaster (Thecophora) erronea Hagen, in Selys 1878: 688 - Tiger Spiketail
Cordulegaster (Thecophora) maculata Selys, 1854: 105 - Twin-spotted Spiketail
Cordulegaster (Taeniogaster) obliqua (Say, 1840: 15 as Aeschna) - Arrowhead Spiketail
(syn.) Cordulegaster fasciatus Rambur, 1842: 178

Corduliidae Selys, 1850 (Emeralds)

Cordulia Leach, 1815 (Common Emeralds)
Cordulia shurtleffi Scudder, 1866: 217 - American Emerald
(nom. nudem) Cordulia bifurcata Hagen, 1861: 137

Dorocordulia Needham, 1901 (Little Emeralds)
Dorocordulia libera (Selys, 1871: 263 as Cordulia) - Racket-tailed Emerald

Epitheca Burmeister, 1839 (Baskettails)
Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) canis (McLachlan, 1886: 104 as Tetragoneuria) - Beaverpond Baskettail
Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) costalis (Selys, 1871: 273 as Cordulia) - Slender Baskettail
(syn.) Tetragoneuria williamsoni Muttkowski 1911: 122
Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) cynosura (Say, 1839: 30 as Libellula) - Common Baskettail
(syn.) Epophthalmia lateralis Burmeister, 1839: 847
(syn.) Tetragoneuria diffinis Hagen, in Selys 1871: 270
(syn.) Cordulia basiguttata Selys, 1871: 370
(syn.) Tetragoneuria morio Muttkowski, 1911: 104

Epitheca (Epicordulia) princeps Hagen 1861: 134 - Prince Baskettail
(syn.) Cordulia regina Hagen, in Selys 1871: 277
Epitheca (Tetragoneuria) spinigera (Selys, 1871: 269 as Tetragoneuria) - Robust Baskettail
(syn.) Tetragoneuria indistincta Morse, 1895: 210

Helocordulia Needham, 1901 (Sundragons)
Helocordulia uhleri (Selys, 1871: 274 as Cordulia) - Uhler's Sundragon - ON, OH, expect in the eastern UP

Neurocordulia Selys, 1871 (Shadowdragons)
Neurocordulia yamaskanensis (Provancher, 1875: 248 as Aeshna) - Stygian Shadowdragon
(syn.) Epitheca jamascarensis Hagen, in Selys 1878: 191

Somatochlora Selys, 1871 (Striped Emeralds)
Somatochlora cingulata (Selys, 1871: 302 Epitheca) - Lake Emerald
Somatochlora elongata (Scudder, 1866: 218 as Cordulia) - Ski-tipped Emerald
(nom. nud.) Cordulia saturata Hagen, in Selys 1861: 138
Somatochlora ensigera Martin, 1907: 29 - Plains Emerald - new record from Menominee Co., Craves et al 2023), MN, WI, OH
(syn.) Somatochlora charadraea Williamson, 1907: 1
Somatochlora forcipata (Scudder, 1866: 216 as Cordulia) - Forcipate Emerald
(nom. nud.) Cordulia chalybea Hagen, in Selys 1861: 138
Somatochlora franklini (Selys, 1878: 195 as Cordulia) - Delicate Emerald
(syn.) Somatochlora macrotana Williamson, 1909: 78
Somatochlora hineana Williamson, 1931: 225 - Hine's Emerald
Somatochlora incurvata Walker, 1918: 365 - Incurvate Emerald
Somatochlora kennedyi Walker, 1918: 366 - Kennedy's Emerald
Somatochlora linearis (Hagen, 1861: 137 as Cordulia) - Mocha Emerald
(syn.) Cordulia procera Selys 1871: 285
(syn.) Somatochlora lateralis Needham, 1901: 501
Somatochlora minor Calvert 1898: 87 - Ocellated Emerald
Somatochlora tenebrosa (Say, 1839: 19 as Libellula) - Clamp-tipped Emerald
(nom. nud.) Cordulia tenebrica Hagen 1861: 138
Somatochlora walshii (Scudder, 1866: 217 as Cordulia) - Brush-tipped Emerald
Somatochlora williamsoni Walker, 1907: 499 - Williamson's Emerald

Williamsonia Davis, 1913 (Boghunters)
Williamsonia fletcheri Williamson, 1923: 96 - Ebony Boghaunter
(nom. nud.) Diplax vacua Hagen, 1857: 91
Williamsonia lintneri (Hagen, in Selys 1878: 187 as Cordulia) - Ringed Boghaunter

Gomphidae (Clubtails)

Arigomphus Needham, 1897 (Pond Clubtails)
Arigomphus cornutus (Tough, 1900: 17 as Gomphus) - Horned Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus whedoni Muttkowski, 1908: 167
Arigomphus furcifer (Hagen, in Selys, 1878: 458 as Gomphus) - Lilypad Clubtail
Arigomphus submedianus (Williamson, 1914: 54 as Gomphus) - Jade Clubtail - IL, IN, WI (historic record from Michigan discounted [O'Brien 2010], but one record from Elliot Co. in Indiana may indicate species may be found in the extreme sw LP)
Arigomphus villosipes (Selys, 1854: 53 as Gomphus) - Unicorn Clubtail

Dromogomphus Selys, 1854 (Spinylegs)
Dromogomphus spinosus Selys, 1854: 21 - Black-shouldered Spinyleg
Dromogomphus spoliatus (Hagen in Selys, 1858: 409 as Gomphus) - Flag-tailed Spinyleg - (Craves & O'Brien 2002)

Erpetogomphus Selys, 1858 (Ringtails)
Erpetogomphus designatus Hagen, in Selys 1858: 401 - Eastern Ringtail - IL, IN, OH (may be encountered in extreme sw. LP)

Gomphurus Needham, 1901 (common name TBD)
Gomphurus crassus (Hagen in Selys, 1854: 453 as Gomphus) - Handsome Clubtail - IN, OH (expect in s. LP)
Gomphurus externus (Hagen in Selys, 1858: 411 as Gomphus) - Plains Clubtail - IN, OH (expect in s. LP)

(syn.) Gomphus consobrinus Walsh 1863: 242
Gomphurus fraternus (Say, 1839: 16 as Aeschna) - Midland Clubtail
(comb..) Gomphus fraternus (Say, 1839)
Gomphurus lineatifrons (Calvert, 1921: 222 as Gomphus) - Splendid Clubtail
Gomphurus vastus (Walsh, 1862: 391 as Gomphus) - Cobra Clubtail
Gomphurus ventricosus (Walsh, 1863: 293 as Gomphus)- Skillet Clubtail


Hagenius Selys, 1854 (Dragonhunter)
Hagenius brevistylus Selys, 1854: 82 - Dragonhunter

Hylogomphus Needham, Westfall and May 2000 (common name TBD)
Hylogomphus adelphus (Selys, 1858: 413 as Gomphus) - Mustached Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus brevis Hagen, in Selys 1878: 462
Hylogomphus viridifrons (Hine, 1901: 60 as Gomphus) - Green-faced Clubtail

Ophiogomphus Selys, 1854 (Snaketails)
Ophiogomphus anomalus Harvey, 1898: 60 - Extra-striped Snaketail
Ophiogomphus carolus Needham, 1897: 183 - Riffle Snaketail
Ophiogomphus colubrinus Selys, 1854: 40 - Boreal Snaketail
Ophiogomphus howei Bromley, 1924: 343 - Pygmy Snaketail
Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis (Walsh, 1862: 388 as Herpetogomphus) - Rusty Snaketail
(syn.) Ophiogomphus carolinus Hagen, 1885: 258
(syn.) Ophiogomphus pictus Needham, 1897: 181

Phanogomphus Carle 1986 (common name TBD)
Phanogomphus exilis (Selys, 1854: 55 as Gomphus) - Lancet Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus flavocaudatus Walker, 1940: 194-196
Phanogomphus graslinellus (Walsh, 1862: 394 as Gomphus) - Pronghorn Clubtail
Phanogomphus lividus (Selys, 1854: 53 as Gomphus) - Ashy Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus sordidus Hagen, in Selys 1954: 54
(syn.) Gomphus umbratus Needham, 1897: 184
(syn.) Gomphus williamsoni Muttkowski, 1910: 98
Phanogomphus quadricolor (Walsh, 1863: 246 as Gomphus) - Rapids Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus alleni Howe, 1922: 19-20
Phanogomphus spicatus (Hagen, in Selys, 1854: 54 as Gomphus) - Dusky Clubtail


Progomphus Selys, 1854 (Sanddragons)
Progomphus obscurus (Rambur, 1842: 170 as Diastatomma) - Common Sanddragon

Stylogomphus Fraser, 1897 (Least Clubtails)
Stylogomphus albistylus (Hagen, in Selys, 1878: 460 as Gomphus) - Eastern Least Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus naevius Harvey, 1898: 63

Stylurus Needham, 1897 (Handing Clubtails)
Stylurus amnicola (Walsh, 1862: 396 as Gomphus) - Riverine Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus abditus Butler, 1914: 347
Stylurus laurae (Williamson, 1932: 3 as Gomphus) - Laura's Clubtail
Stylurus notatus (Rambur, 1842: 162 as Gomphus) - Elusive Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus fluvialis Walsh, 1862: 394
(syn.) Gomphus jucundus Needham, 1944: 146
Stylurus plagiatus Selys, 1854: 57 as Gomphus) - Russet-tipped Clubtai
(syn.) Gomphus elongatus Selys, 1854: 57
Stylurus scudderi (Selys, 1873: 752 as Gomphus) - Zebra Clubtail
Stylurus spiniceps (Walsh, 1862: 389 as Macrogomphus) - Arrow Clubtail
(syn.) Gomphus segregans Needham, 1897: 185

Libellulidae Rambur, 1842 (Skimmers)

Celithemis Hagen, 1861 (Small Pennants)
Celithemis elisa (Hagen, 1861: 182 as Diplax) - Calico Pennant
Celithemis eponina (Drury, 1773: 86 as Libellula) - Halloween Pennant
(syn.) Libellula camilla Rambur, 1842: 46
(syn.) Libellula lucilla Rambur, 1842: 46
Celithemis fasciata Kirby, 1889: 326 - Banded Pennant
(syn.) Celithemis monomelaena Williamson, 1910: 155

Erythemis Hagen, 1861 (Pondhawks)
Erythemis simplicicollis (Say, 1839: 28 as Libellula) - Eastern Pondhawk, Green Clearwing
(syn.) Libellula imbuta Say, 1839: 28
(syn.) Libellula caerulans Rambur, 1839: 64
(syn.) Libellula maculiventris Rambur, 1842: 87
(syn.) Libellula gundlachii Scudder, 1866: 326

Erythrodiplax Brauer, 1868 (Dragonlets)
Erythrodiplax umbrata (Linnaeus, 1758: 545 as Libellula) - Band-winged Dragonlet (found in northern Ohio, may occur in southeastern LP)
(syn.) Libellula fallax Burmeister, 1839: 855
(syn.) Libellula flavicans Rambur, 1842: 87
(syn.) Libellula fuscofasciata Blanchard, 1846
(syn.) Trithemis montezuma Calvert, 1899: 397
(syn.) Libellula ruralis Burmeister, 1839: 855
(syn.) Libellula subfasciata Burmeister, 1839: 855
(syn.) Libellula tripartita Burmeister, 1839: 855
(syn.) Libellula unifasciata DeGeer, 1773: 557


Ladona Needham, 1897 (Corporals)
Ladona julia (Uhler, 1857: 88 as Libellula) - Chalk-fronted Corporal

Leucorrhinia Brittinger, 1850 (Whitefaces)
Leucorrhinia frigida Hagen, 1890: 231 - Frosted Whiteface
Leucorrhinia glacialis Hagen, 1890: 234 - Crimson-ringed Whiteface
Leucorrhinia hudsonica (Selys, 1850: 53 as Libillula) - Hudsonian Whiteface
(syn.) Libellula hageni Calvert, 1890: 36
Leucorrhinia intacta (Hagen, 1861: 179 as Diplax) - Dot-tailed Whiteface
Leucorrhinia proxima Calvert, 1890: 38 - Belted Whiteface

Libellula Linnaeus, 1758 (King skimmers)
Libellula auripennis Burmeister, 1839: 861 - Golden-winged Skimmer (records from Berrien and Washtenaw Counties)
(syn.) Libellula costalis Rambur, 1842: 59
Libellula cyanea Fabricius, 1775: 424 - Spangled Skimmer
(syn.) Libellula quadrupla Say, 1839: 23
(syn.) Libellula bistigma Uhler, 1857: 37
Libellula incesta Hagen, 1861: 155 - Slaty Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa Burmeister, 1839: 861 - Widow Skimmer
(syn.) Libellula basalis Say, 1839: 23
(syn.) Libellula odiosa Hagen, 1861: 152
Libellula pulchella Drury, 1773: 115 - Twelve-spotted Skimmer
(syn.) Libellula versicolor Fabricius, 1775: 423
(syn.) Libellula confusa Uhler, 1857: 87
Libellula quadrimaculata Linnaeus, 1758: 543 - Four-spotted Skimmer
(syn.) Libellula quadripunctata Fabricius, 1781: 520
(syn.) Libellula maculata Harris, 1782: 46
(syn.) Libellula praenubila Newman, 1833: 420
(syn.) Libellula ternaria [in part] Say, 1839: 21
(syn.) Libellula basilinea McLaughlin, 1894: 430
(syn.) Libellula relicta Belyshev, 1973: 193
Libellula semifasciata Burmeister, 1839: 862 - Painted Skimmer
(nom. nud.) Libellula bifasciata Fabricius, 1775: 421
(syn.) Libellula ternaria [in part] Say, 1839: 21
(syn.) Libellula maculata Rambur, 1842: 55
(syn.) Libellula hersilia Blanchard, 1861: pl. 1
Libellula vibrans Fabricius, 1793: 380 - Great Blue Skimmer

Nannothemis Brauer, 1868 (Elfin Skimmer)
Nannothemis bella (Uhler, 1857: 87 as Nannophya) - Elfin Skimmer
(syn.) Nannophya pygmaea Kirby, 1889: 313
(syn.) Aino puella Kirby, 1890: 113

Pachydiplax Brauer, 1868 (Blue Dasher)
Pachydiplax longipennis (Burmeister, 1839: 850 as Libellula) - Blue Dasher
(syn.) Libellula socia Rambur, 1842: 96

Pantala Hagen, 1861 (Rainpool Gliders)
Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798: 285 as Libellula) - Wandering Glider
(syn.) Libellula viridula Palisot de Beauvais, 1805: 69
(syn.) Libellula analis Burmeister, 1839: 852
(syn.) Libellula terminalis Burmeister, 1839: 852
Pantala hymenaea (Say, 1839: 19 as Libellula) - Spot-winged Glider
(syn.) Tramea huanacina Förster, 1909: 229

Perithemis Hagen, 1861 (Amberwings)
Perithemis tenera (Say, 1839: 31 as Libellula) - Eastern Amberwing
(syn.) Libellula tenuicincta Say, 1839: 32
(syn.) Libellula chlora Rambur, 1842: 125
(syn.) Libellula domitia seminole Calvert, 1907: 316

Plathemis Hagen, 1861 (Whitetails)
Plathemis lydia (Drury, 1773: 112 as Libellula) - Common Whitetail
(syn.) Libellula trimaculata DeGeer, 1773: 556
(syn.) Libellula serva Fabricius, 1793: 378

Sympetrum Newman, 1833 (Meadowhawks)
Sympetrum ambiguum (Rambur, 1842: 106 as Libellula) - Blue-faced Meadowhawk
(syn.) Libellula albifrons Charpentier, 1840: 81
Sympetrum corruptum (Hagen, 1861: 171 as Mesothemis) - Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum costiferum (Hagen, 1861: 174 as Diplax) - Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
(syn.) Diplax atripes Hagen, 1874: 588
Sympetrum danae (Sulzer, 1776: 169 as Libellula) - Black Meadowhawk
(syn.) Libellula scotica Donovan, 1811: 523
(syn.) Libellula verum Bartenev, 1915: 265
Sympetrum internum Montgomery, 1943: 688 - Cherry-faced Meadowhawk
Sympetrum obtrusum (Hagen, 1867: 95 as Diplax) - White-faced Meadowhawk
(syn.) Diplax decisum Hagen, 1875: 588
Sympetrum rubicundulum (Say, 1839: 26 as Libellula) - Ruby Meadowhawk
(syn.) Libellula assimilata Uhler, 1857: 88
Sympetrum semicinctum (Say, 1839: 27 as Libellula) - Band-winged Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum (Hagen, 1861: 175 as Diplax) - Autumn Meadowhawk

Tramea Hagen, 1861 (Saddlebags)
Tramea calverti Muttkowski, 1910: 154 - Striped Saddlebags (MI record may be accidential, not representing a resident species [Craves and O'Brien 2011]
Tramea carolina (Linnaeus, 1763: 411 as Libellula) - Carolina Saddlebags
Tramea lacerata Hagen, 1861: 145 - Black Saddlebags
Tramea onusta Hagen, 1861: 144 - Red Saddlebags


Macromiidae, Tillyard, 1917 (River Cruisers)

Didymops Rambur, 1842 (Brown Crusiers)
Didymops transversa (Say, 1839: 19 as Libellula) - Stream Cruiser

(syn.) Epophthalmia cinnamomea Burmeister, 1839: 845
(syn.) Didymops servillii Rambur, 1842: 142

Macromia Rambur, 1842 (River Crusiers)
Macromia alleghaniensis Williamson, 1909: 376 - Allegheny River Cruiser (Craves & O'Brien 2015: Wood Creek in the Three Rivers State Game Area, Cass County, Michigan (41.861°, -85.763°))
Macromia illinoiensis Walsh, 1862: 397 - Swift River Cruiser
(syn.) Marcomia australensis Williamson, 1909: 377

Macromia taeniolata Rambur, 1842: 139 - Royal River Cruiser
(syn.) Macromia wabashensis Williamson, 1909: 374

Petaluridae, Tillyard, 1917 (Petaltails)


Tachopteryx Uhler in Selys, 1859
Tachopteryx thoreyi (Hagen in Selys, 1859: 373 as Uropetala) - Gray Petaltail

Calopterygidae, Selys, 1850 (Broadwinged Damselflies)


Calopteryx Leach, 1815 (Jewelwings)

Calopteryx aequabilis Say, 183: 33 - River Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805: 85 as Agrion) - Ebony Jewelwing
(syn.) Calopteryx holosericea Burmeister, 1839: 828
(syn.) Calopteryx materna Say, 1839: 32
(syn.) Calopteryx opaca Say, 1839: 32
(syn.) Calopteryx papilionaria Rambur, 1842: 222

Hetaerina Hagen, in Selys 1853 (Rubyspots)
Hetaerina americana (Fabricius, 1798: 287 as Agrion) - American Rubyspot
(syn.) Lestes basalis Say, 1839: 35
(syn.) Hetaerina californica Hagen, in Selys 1859: 440
(syn.) Hetaerina pseudamericana Walsh, 1863: 223
(syn.) Hetaerina texana Walsh, 1863: 227
(syn.) Hetaerina scelerata Walsh, 1863: 267
Hetaerina titia (Drury, 1773: 83 as Libellula) - Smoky Rubyspot
(syn.) Calopteryx tricolor Burmeister, 1839: 827
(syn.) Hetaerina rupinsulensis Walsh, 1862: 383
(syn.) Hetaerina rupamnensis Walsh, 1863: 230

Coenagrionidae, Kirby, 1890 (Pond Damselflies)


Amphiagrion Selys, 1876 (Red Damsels)

Amphiagrion saucium (Burmeister, 1839: 819 as Agrion) - Eastern Red Damsel
(syn.) Agrion discolor Burmeister, 1839: 819
(syn.) Agrion amphion Selys, 1876: 287

Argia Rambur, 1842 (Dancers)
Argia apicalis (Say, 1839: 40 as Agrion) - Blue-fronted Dancer
Argia fumipennis violacae (Hagen, 1861: 90 as Agrion) - Variable Dancer
Argia moesta (Hagen, 1861: 94 as Agrion) - Powdered Dancer
Argia sedula (Hagen, 1861: 94 as Agrion) - Blue-ringed Dancer
Argia tibialis (Rambur, 1842: 241 as Platycnemis) - Blue-tipped Dancer
(syn.) Agrion fontium Hagen, 1861: 72
(syn.) Agrion binotata Walsh, 1862: 387
Argia translata Hagen in Selys, 1865 - Dusky Dancer

Chromagrion Needham, 1903 (Aurora Damsel)
Chromagrion conditum (Hagen, in Selys 1876: 1305 as Erythromma) - Aurora Damsel

Coenagrion Kirby, 1890 (Eurasian Bluets)
Coenagrion interrogatum (Hagen, in Selys 1876: 1254 as Agrion) - Subarctic Bluet
Coenagrion resolutum (Hagen, in Selys 1876: 1263 as Agrion) - Taiga Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma walkeri Muttkowski, 1911: 33

Enallagma Selys, 1875 (Bluets)
Enallagma anna Williamson, 1900: 455 - River Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma culicinorum Byers, 1927: 249
Enallagma annexum (Hagen, 1861: 87 as Agrion) - Northern Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma cyathigerum Auct., not Charpentier
(syn.) Aenallagma robustum Selys, 1875: 243
(comb.) Enallagma robustum (Selys, 1875)
Enallagma antennatum (Say, 1839: 39 as Agrion) - Rainbow Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma fischeri Kellicott, 1895: 206
Enallagma aspersum (Hagen, 1861: 97 as Agrion) - Azure Bluet
Enallagma basidens Calvert, 1902: 114 - Double-striped Bluet
Enallagma boreale Selys, 1875: 242 - Boreal Bluet
(spell.) Aenallagma boreale Selys, 1875
Enallagma carunculatum Morse, 1895: 208 - Tule Bluet
Enallagma civile (Hagen, 1861: 88 as Agrion) - Familiar Bluet
(syn.) Agrion canadense Provancher, 1876: 325
(syn.) Enallagma civile plebium Selys, 1876: 98
(syn.) Enallagma simile Selys, 1876: 515
Enallagma divagans Selys, 1876: 521 - Turquoise Bluet
Enallagma ebrium (Hagen, 1861: 87 as Agrion) - Marsh Bluet
Enallagma exsulans (Hagen, 1861: 82 as Agrion) - Stream Bluet
Enallagma geminatum Kellicott, 1895: 239 - Skimming Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma piscinarium Williamson, 1900: 273
Enallagma hageni (Walsh, 1863: 386 as Agrion) - Hagen's Bluet
Enallagma signatum (Hagen, 1861: 84 as Agrion) - Orange Bluet
(syn.) Agrion dentiferum Walsh, 1863: 236
Enallagma traviatum Selys, 1876: 519 - Slender Bluet
Enallagma vernale Gloyd, 1943: 1 - Vernal Bluet
Enallagma vesperum Calvert, 1919: 380 - Vesper Bluet
(syn.) Enallagma laurenti Calvert, 1919: 379

Ischnura Charpentier, 1840 (Forktails)
Ischnura hastata (Say, 1839: 38 as Agrion) - Citrine Forktail - Craves & O'Brien 2002
(syn.) Agrion anomalum Rambur, 1842: 281
(syn.) Agrion venerinotata Haldemann, 1844: 55
Ischnura kellicotti Williamson, 1898: 209 - Lilypad Forktail
Ischnura posita (Hagen, 1861: 77 as Agrion) - Fragile Forktail
Ischnura verticalis (Say, 1839: 37 as Agrion) - Eastern Forktail

Nehalennia Selys, 1850 (Sprites)
Nehalennia gracilis Morse, 1895: 274 - Sphagnum Sprite
Nehalennia irene (Hagen, 1861: 74 as Agrion) - Sedge Sprite
(syn.) Nehalennia carlotta Butler, 1914: 347

Lestidae, Calvert 1901 (Spreadwings)

Archilestes Selys, 1862 (Stream Spreadwings)
Archilestes grandis (Rambur, 1942: 244 as Lestes) - Great Spreadwing

Lestes Leach, 1815 (Pond Spreadwings)
Lestes congener Hagen, 1861: 67 - Spotted Spreadwing
Lestes disjunctus disjunctus Selys, 1862: 302 - Northern Spreadwing
Lestes disjunctus australis Walker, 1952: 59 - Southern Spreadwing
Lestes dryas Kirby, 1890: 160 - Emerald Spreadwing
(preocc.) Lestes nympha Selys, 1840: 141
(syn.) Lestes uncatus Kirby, 1890: 160
Lestes eurinus Say, 1839: 36 - Amber-winged Spreadwing
Lestes forcipatus Rambur, 1842: 246 - Sweetflag Spreadwing
(syn.) Lestes hamata Hagen, 1861: 70
Lestes inaequalis Walsh, 1862: 385 - Elegant Spreadwing
Lestes rectangularis Say, 1839: 34 - Slender Spreadwing
Lestes unguiculatus Hagen, 1861: 70 - Lyre-tipped Spreadwing
Lestes vigilax Hagen, in Selys 1862: 306 - Swamp Spreadwing

References - Distribution

Craves JA, O'Brien DS. 2002. Ischnura hastata (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): new for Michigan. The Great Lakes Entomologist 35(2):117-118.
Craves JA, O'Brien DS. 2002. Dromogomphus spoliatus (Odonata: Gomphidae): new for Michigan. The Great Lakes Entomologist 35(2):115-116.
Craves JA, O'Brien D. 2011. Tramea calverti (Odonata: Libellulidae): New for Michigan with notes on other new reports for the Great Lakes Region. The Great Lakes Entomologist 44(1-2):78-82.
Craves JA, O'Brien DS. 2015. Macromia alleghaniensis (Odonata: Macromiidae): new for Michigan, with clarifications of northern records. The Great Lakes Entomologist 48(3-4):186-191.
Craves JA, O'Brien DS. 2021. An old new species for Michigan: Argia translata. Urban Dragon Hunters website, https://urbanodes.blogspot.com/2021/11/an-old-new-species-for-michigan-argia.html, accessed March 09, 2024.
Craves JA, O'Brien DS, Hernandez J. 2023. Plains Emerald (Somatochlora ensigera): New for Michigan. Argia 35(3) October 2023.
Hill C. 2011. Dromogomphus spoliatus (Odonata: Gomphidae): new for Michigan. Argia 23(3):21-22.
Kormondy EJ. 1958. Catalogue of the Odonata of Michigan. Miscellaneous Publications Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan 104. 43 p.
Needham JG, Westfall MJ, May ML. 2014. Dragonflies of North America, Third Edition. Scientific Publishers: Gainesville, Florida. xvi + 657 pp.
O'Brien MF. 2010. Arigomphus submedianus (Odonata: Gomphidae) to be removed from the Michigan list of Odonata. Argia 22(3): 16-17.
Pilgrim EM, von Dohlen CD. 2007. Molecular and morphological study of species-level questions within the dragonfly genus Sympetrum (Odonata: Libellulidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 100:688-702.
Stoks R, Nystrom JL, May ML, McPeek MA. 2005. Parallel evolution in ecological and reproductive traits to produce cryptic damselfly species across the Holarctic. Evolution 59:1976-1988.
Turgeon J, Stoks R, Thum RA, Brown M, McPeek MA. 2005. Simultaneous Quaternary radiations of three damselfly clades across the Holarctic. American Naturalist 165:78-107.
Walker EM, Corbet JS. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Volume. 3. University of Toronto Press: Toronto, Ontario. xvi + 308 p.
Ware JL, Pilgrim E, May ML, Donnelly TW, Tennessen K. 2016. Phylogenetic relationships of North American Gomphidae and their close relatives. Systematic Entomology 41(4):1-12.
Westfall MJ, May ML. 2006. Damselflies of North America. Revised Edition. Scientific Publishers: Gainesville, Florida. xii + 502 p.

References - Taxonomy

Bartenev AN. 1915. American representatives of the genus Sympetrum. [In Russian]. Universitet Izviestija 46(1-5):1-24, pl. 1-4.
Beauvois P. de. 1805. Insectes recuilles en Afrique et en Amerique dans les royaumes d'Oware, a Saint-Dominique et dans les Étais-Unis pendants les années 1781-1797. Levrault:Paris. 167 pp.
Blanchard CE. 1846. Insects. In A. D. D'Orbigny and M. A. d'Orbigny (eds.), Dictionaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle. Vol. 6. Bertard, Paris. 222 pp.
Brauer FM. 1868. Verzeichnis der bis jetzt bekannten Neuropteren im Sinne Linne's. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 18: 359-416, 711-742.
Brittinger CC. 1850. Die Libelluliden des Kaiserreichs Österreich. S. B. Acad. Wiss. Wien 4, Mathem.-nat. Klasse: 328-336.
Bromley SW. 1924. A new Ophiogomphus (Aeschnidae: Odonata) from Massachusetts. Entomology News 35(10): 343-344.
Burmeister H. 1839. Handbuch der Entomologie. Vol 2. Enslin: Berlin, pp. 397-1050.
Calvert PP. 1890. Notes on some North American Odonata, with descriptions of three new species. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 17: 33-40.
Calvert PP. 1899. Odonata from Tepic, Mexico, with supplementary notes on those of Baja California. Proceedings of the California Academy of Science (3) Zoology 1: 371-418.
Calvert PP. 1901. Odonata, pp. 17-72 in Biologia Centrali Americana: Insecta Neuroptera, R.H. Porter and Dulau Co., London.
Calvert PP. 1902, in Calvert PP. 1901-1908. Odonata, in Biologia Centrali Americana: Insecta Neuroptera. R. H. Porter & Dulau & Co.: London. Dec 1902, p. 114.
Calvert PP. 1919. Gundlach's work on the Odonata of Cuba: a critical study. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 45: 335-396.
Calvert PP. 1921. Gomphus dilatatus, vastus, and a new species, lineatifrons (Odonata). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 47: 221-232.
Carle FL. 1983. A new Zoraena (Odonata: Cordulegastridae) from Eastern North America, with a key to the adult Cordulegastridae of America. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 76(1): 61-68.
Charpentier T. de. 1840. Libellulinae europaeae descriptae e depictae. Lipsiae, Leopold Voss. 180 pp.
Davis WT. 1913. Williamsonia, a new genus of dragonflies from North America. Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society 8:93-96.
DeGeer CF. 1773. Mémoires pour servir à l’histoire des insectes, Vol. 3. Grefing, Stockholm. 696 pp.
Drury D. 1773. Illustrations of natural history. Vol. 2. White: London. 90 pp.
Fabricius JC. 1775. Systema entomologiae. Libraria Kortii: Flensburg & Leipzig. 424 pp.
Fabricius JC. 1798. Supplementum entomolgiae Systematicae. Hafniae, Proft.(Schubothe), pp. 283-285.
Fabricius JC. 1793. Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta. Secundum classes, ordines, genera, species adjectis synonimis, locis, observationibus, descriptionibus. Tom. II. - pp. I-VIII [= 1-8], 1-519, [1]. Hafniae. (Proft).
Fabricius JC. 1798. Supplementum entomologiae systematicae, pp. 283-285. Proft. (Schubothe), Hafniae.
Fraser FC. 1922. New and rare Indian Odonata in the Pusa Collection. Memoirs of the Department of Agriculture in India, Entomological Series 7(7): 39-77.
Hagen HA. 1861. Synopsis of the Neuroptera of North America, with a list of the South American species. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 4:1-347.
Hagen HA. 1867. Revision der von Herrn Uhler beschriebenen Odonaten. Stettiner entomologische Zeitung 28: 87-95.
Hagen HA. 1877. Synopsis of the Odonata of America. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 18:86.
Hagen HA. 1890. A synopsis of the odonate genus Leucorrhinia Britt. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 17: 229-236.
Harvey FL. 1898. A contribution to the Odonata of Maine, II. Entomological News 3:269-277.
Hine JS. 1901. A new species of Gomphus and its near relatives. Ohio Naturalist 1(4):60-61.
Kellicot DS. 1895. Catalogue of the Odonata of Ohio, Part 1. Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History 17: 195-216.
Kirby WF. 1889. A revision of the subfamily Libellulinae with descriptions of new genera and species. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 12: 249-348.
Kirby WF. 1890. A synonymic catalog of Neuroptera Odonata or dragonflies. Guerney and Jackson, London. 202 pp.
Leach WE. 1815. Entomology, pp. 52-172. In Brewster's Edinburgh encyclopaedia. Vol. 9. Edinburgh.
Linne C. 1758. Systema naturae. Editio decima reformata. Holmiae. 543 pp.
Linne C. 1763. Amoenitates academicae seu dissert, variae, etc. Vol. sextum. Homiae 1763. CXXI. Centuria Insectorum, etc. 32 pp. Johansson, Upsaliae.
Needham JG. 1901. Aquatic insects in the Adirondacks. Bulletin of the New York State Museum 47:381-612, 30 pl.
Needham JG. 1903. Aquatic insects of New York State. Part 3. Life histories of Odonata, suborder Zygoptera. New York State Museum Bulletin 68:218-279.
Martin R. 1907. Cordulines. Collections zoologiques du Baron Edm.de Selys Longchamps, Catolgue systématique et descriptif. Coll. Selys Longchamps 17:1-94, f 1-99, cpl 1-3.
McLachlan R.1886. Two new species of Cordulina. Entomologists' Monthly Magazine 23: 104-105.
McLachlan R. 1896. A new name for Fonscolombia (pre-occupied). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6)17:424.
Montgomery BE. 1943. Sympetrum internum, new name for Sympetrum decisum Auct., nec Hagen (Odonata, Libellulidae). The Canadian Entomologist 75(3): 57-58.
Morse AP. 1895. New North American Odonata. Psyche 7:207-211.
Muttkowski RA. 1910. Catalogue of the Odonata of North America. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 1(1): 1-207.
Needham JG. 1897. Preliminary studies of North American Gomphinae. The Canadian Entomologist 29:164-168, 181-186 + 1 pl.
Needham JG. 1897. Libellula deplanta of Rambur. The Canadian Entomologist 29: 144-146.
Newman E. 1833. The Entomologica Magazine. Westley, London. 532 pp, 4 pl (8 vo).
Provancher L. 1875. Description de plusieurs insectes nouveaux. Névroptères. Le Naturaliste Canadien 7: 247-248.
Rambur MP. 1842. Histoire naturelle des insectes. Névroptères. (Suites à Buffon). Roret: Paris. 534 pp.
Say T. 1839. Descriptions of new North American neuropterous insects and observations on some already described by (the late) Th. Say. Journal of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia 8:9-46.
Scudder SH. 1866. Notes on some Odonata from the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 10:211-222.
Selys-Longchamps ME. de. 1850. Revue des odonates ou Libellules d'Europe. Mémoires de Société de Science de Liege 6: 1-408 (reprint 1-408).
Selys-Longchamps ME. de. 1853. Synopsis des Calopterygines. Bulletin de l'Académie royale des Sciences de Belgique (1)20: 1-73 (reprint 1-73).
Selys Longchamps ME. de. 1854. Synopsis des Gomphines. Bulletin de l'Académie Entomologique Belgique 21:23-114.
Selys Longchamps ME. de. 1862. Synopsis des agrionines, seconde légion: Lestes. Bulletin de l'Académie royale des Sciences de Belgique (2)13: 288-338 (reprint 1-54).
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Selys-Longchamps ME. de. 1875. Notes on Odonata from Newfoundland collected in 1874 by Mr. John Milne. Entomologists Monthly Magazine 11:241-243.
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Walker EM. 1907. A new Somatochlora with a note on the species known from Ontario. The Canadian Entomologist 39: 69-74.
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Walsh BD. 1862. List of the Pseudoneuroptera of Illinois contained in the cabinet of the writer, with descriptions of over forty new species, with notes on their structural affinities. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia 14:361-402.
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Page edits:

March 09, 2024
• Somatochlora ensigera collected from Menominee Co, reported by Craves et al. 2023, and Argia translata from Washtenaw and Monroe Counties, reported by Craves 2021.
March 28, 2017
• Reorganized reference sections, splitting them into references pertaining to sources documenting the occurence of a species in Michigan, and another for works that reference authorship of species cited.
March 04, 2017
• Gomphurus externus, which is indicated as a Michigan record in Needham et al. 2014 (p.184), is likely an error as no vouchered records are known from the state. However, its presence in northwestern Ohio make it that future records from our state are likely.
February 01, 2017
• Update taxonomic placement of species in the Gomphus complex to reflect information presented in Ware et al. 2016. The subgenera Hylogomphus, Gomphurus and Phanogomphus are elevated to genus, and species remaining and classified as Gomphus s.s. are Old World taxa.
January 18, 2016
• Macromia alleghaniensis was colleted in 2014 in Cass County by Darrin O'Brien (Craves and O'Brien 2015), representing the first verified, vouchered specimen from Michigan. Previous records should be considered either equivocable or unreliable/unverified.
September 05, 2015
• Gomphaeschna antilope was colleted in 2005 and 2009 by Chris Hill (Hill 2011) in northern LP Michigan, representing an impressive range extension from its previous known distribution.
July 01, 2015
• Macromia alleghanensis was collected in June 2014, in Cass County at the Three Rivers State Game Area by Darrin O'Brien
April 18, 2014
• Sympetrum occidentale Bartenev considered a western subspecies of of S. semicinctum (Pilgrim and van Dohlen 2007) and is unlikely to be encountered in the western part of the Upper Peninsula, and has been removed from the list
• Previously Enallagma cyathigerum was considered Holarctic, but molecular evidence from Turgeon et al. (2005) and Stoks et al. (2005) convincingly suggest E. cyathigerum is restricted to the Palearctic, whereas Nearctic specimens should be considered as E. annexum, which was previously considered a junior synonym of E. cyathigerum.
• Removed Argia bipunctulata from list. Westfall and May (2006) listing of this species in Michigan is probably an error, as this species has not been collected here. Collection localities in Ohio do not suggest a distribution extending into Michigan.
November 04, 2012

• Beginning to keep track of changes to the web site pages
• Removed individual pages for families into one long list, families accessed from left menu via anchor redirects within page
• Updated synonomies per World Odonata List hosted at the University of Puget Sound, Washington, by Martin Shorr and Dennis Paulson.