Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ecuador |
William Haber, Electronic Field Guide Project, University of Massachusetts, BostonDavid Wagner, University of Connecticut, Storrs |
| Introduction | References | Family Descriptions |
Libellulidae- Skimmers, Perchers |
| Libellulidae is the largest odonate family in Ecuador with about 30 genera and more than 150 species. Libellulids tend to be fast fliers that spend a lot of time on the wing. Most species sally for prey from perches, while some feed primarily by patrolling. They inhabit a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including both still and running water, but are more abundant on ponds and lakes than in streams. Wing venation is important for identifying the genera. Color pattern and male genitalia, along with venation, are used for distinguishing species. |
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| Brechmorhoga rapax, male | Erythrodiplax abjecta, male | Libellula herculea, male |
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| Micrathyria dictynna, male | Orthemis biolleyi, male | Perithemis rubita, male |
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| Rhodopygia cardinalis, male | Uracis fastigiata, male | Zenithoptera fasciata, male |
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| Brechmorhoga pertinax, female |
| Text and images copyright 2014 by William A. Haber, http://efg.cs.umb.edu/ Created: 24 January 2006. Updated: 25 March 2014. |