Dragonflies and Damselflies:
Odonata of Monteverde, Costa Rica

William A. Haber
Electronic Field Guide Project, University of Massachusetts- Boston
Introduction Checklist with Images Family Key Family Descriptions References Map

Cordulegastridae- Spiketails, Biddies
Only one species occurs in Costa Rica, the endemic Cordulegaster godmani. This large dragonfly looks like a large aeshnid or Phyllogomphoides (Gomphidae) with green eyes that meet at a point and black body marked with bright yellow thoracic stripes and abdominal bands. These dragonflies breed in small streams above 1500 m elevation in the Monteverde cloud forest. The males patrol sections of the stream on sunny mornings.

Cordulegaster godmani, male Cordulegaster godmani, male, reared
Text and images copyright William A. Haber, http://efg.cs.umb.edu/
Created: 24 January 2006. Updated: 6 June 2007.