| This the largest family of damselflies in Costa Rica with 11 genera and about 55 species. Most are small, ranging from 21-48 mm in length. They rest with their wings folded together above the body. The wings are transparent or tinted yellow-brown (flavescent), but otherwise unmarked. Stigmas are not much longer than wide. Males of most species are black marked with blue or green; some are largely red-orange marked with black or blue (Telebasis). Females and immature males are usually similar in pattern to reproductive adults, but the pale colors are mostly dull beige or tan. The females of some species have two or more color forms, and it is typical for these to have a ground color in the teneral stage that is different from the adult (e.g., Anisagrion, Ischnura, Leptobasis). The appendages are distinctive and especially useful for distinguishing species. Seven genera with about 26 species have been recorded in the Monteverde region. A few of these may be color forms or isolated populations of the same species and some may be distinct, but very similar species. |
