| Aeshnidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tasmanian darner (Austroaeschna tasmanica) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Superfamily: | Aeshnoidea |
| Family: | Aeshnidae Leach, 1815 [1] |
| Genera | |
See text. | |
Aeshnidae, also called aeshnids, hawkers, or darners, is a family of dragonflies, found nearly worldwide, with more than 50 genera and over 450 species. [2] [3]
The family includes some of the largest dragonflies.
Common worldwide or nearly worldwide genera are Aeshna and Anax . Anax includes some of the largest dragonflies, including the North American A. walsinghami , Hawaiian A. strenuus , European A. imperator and A. immaculifrons , and African A. tristis , but these are all exceeded by another member of the family, the Asian Tetracanthagyna plagiata , which by wingspan and weight is the world's largest dragonfly.
There are 41 North American species in 11 genera in this family. Most European species belong to Aeshna. Their American name "darner" stems from the female abdomens looking like a sewing needle, as they cut into plant stem when they lay their eggs through the ovipositor.
The dragonflies mate in flight. The eggs are deposited in water or close by. The larvae (nymphs or naiads) are generally slender compared to those of other families, with a long and flat extensible lower lip (labium). The larvae are aquatic predators, feeding on other insects and even small fish.
The adults spend large amounts of time in the air and seem to fly tirelessly with their four large and powerful wings. They can fly forwards or backwards or hover like a helicopter. The wings are always extended horizontally.
Their abdomens are long and thin. Most are colored blue and or green, with black and occasionally yellow. Their large, hemispherical, compound eyes touch in the midline and nearly cover their heads. They have an extremely good sight, and are voracious insect predators, using their sharp, biting mouthparts. They are therefore very beneficial to mankind.
All are extremely hard to catch because of their flying abilities and keen sight.
The name Aeshnidae was first proposed as a family by Elford Leach in 1815. [1]
The spelling of Aeshnidae may have resulted from a printer's error in spelling the Greek Aechma, "a spear". [4] The spelling Aeschnidae has been intermittently used over a period of time, but is now abandoned for the original name Aeshnidae. However, derived genus names (such as Rhionaeschna ) retain the 'sch' spelling, as this is how they were first cited.
Aeshna, or the mosaic darners, is a genus of dragonflies from the family Aeshnidae. Species within this genus are generally known as "hawkers" or "darners".
The Gomphidae are a family of dragonflies commonly referred to as clubtails or club-tailed dragonflies. The family contains about 90 genera and 900 species found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The name refers to the club-like widening of the end of the abdomen. However, this club is usually less pronounced in females and is entirely absent in some species.
The Platycnemididae are a family of damselflies. They are known commonly as white-legged damselflies. There are over 400 species native to the Old World. The family is divided into several subfamilies.
Anaciaeschna is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. Species of Anaciaeschna are found in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Gynacantha is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. The females have two prominent spines under the last abdominal segment. This gives the genus name and the common name two-spined darners; they are also known as duskhawkers.
The Synthemistidae are the family of dragonflies commonly known as tigertails, or sometimes called southern emeralds. This family is part of the superfamily Libelluloidea.
Anax is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. It includes species such as the emperor dragonfly, Anax imperator.
Aeshnoidea is a superfamily of dragonflies that contains two extant families, Aeshnidae and Austropetaliidae.
Libelluloidea is a superfamily of dragonflies.
Austroaeschna is a genus of dragonflies in the diverse family Aeshnidae.
Nannophlebia is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. They are commonly known as Archtails. The species are very small with black and yellow striped abdomens.
Telephlebiidae was once regarded as a separate family of dragonflies that were endemic to eastern and southwestern Australia. However, recent taxonomic revisions have resulted in the classification of species that were previously placed in Telephlebiidae as part of the family Aeshnidae.
Cordulephyidae was formerly considered a distinct family of dragonflies occurring in Africa and Australia. Recent taxonomic revisions have classified the species previously placed in Cordulephyidae to now be within the superfamily Libelluloidea.
Spinaeschna is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae. These dragonflies are endemic to eastern Australia, where they inhabit streams and rivers.
Austrocorduliidae was formerly considered a family of dragonflies occurring in South Africa and Australia. Recent taxonomic revisions have classified the species previously placed in Austrocorduliidae to now be within the superfamily Libelluloidea.
Micromidia is a genus of dragonflies in the superfamily Libelluloidea. They are small to medium-sized dragonflies, coloured black or metallic green with pale markings, and endemic to eastern Australia.
Gomphomacromiidae was formerly considered a distinct family of dragonflies occurring in Chile and Australia. Recent taxonomic revisions have classified the species previously placed in Gomphomacromiidae to now be within the superfamily Libelluloidea.
Pseudocordulia is a small genus of dragonflies endemic to tropical northeastern Australia. They are medium-sized, bronze-black dragonflies with clear wings.
Calopterygoidea is a superfamily of damselflies in the order Odonata.
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