Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Greater Southwest
- Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah
=!= The companion website for Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest =!=
(Click here to go to my new site for the Dragonflies of Jalisco)
Please scroll down to find the links that interest you.
Scroll down to the on-line Greater Southwest on- line guide below these dragonfly educational materials
2015
Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest
Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico,
Nevada and Utah
by Kathy Biggs
updates to species names and maps- 2017
Updated May 2019
Dragonflies of California and the Greater Southwest,
A Beginner's Guide
by Kathy Biggs
by Kathy Biggs - Price $7.99
Buy through Amazon.com (Kindle app)
(includes damselflies)
SORRY - OUT OF PRINT
by Kathy Biggs 
see more information about the book.
Published March 2004
Updates & corrections 2010
Includes damselflies
Dragonflies of North America,
A Color and Learn Book
with Activities (also available on a CD)
by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis
Build a Pond for Wildlife
Dragonflies need ponds to breed in!!
by Kathy Biggs
UPDATED Spring 2013 - CD or eBook
Attract dragonflies to your yard!
Buy directly from us, using the links above
(all ship within 2 days and are signed by the author)
Or order the book thru Amazon.com
by clicking on the name of the book to the right that you wish to buy.
Dragonflies of North America, Color and Learn
Common Dragonflies of California
Build a Pond for Wildlife
Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest
DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
of the Greater Southwest
=!= The companion website for Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest =!=
Enter the on-line guide below.
First decide whether you want to look at Dragonflies or Damselflies,
then click on the image or the word to be taken to either the Dragonfly or the Damselfly site.
| This site is 100% privately maintained.
If you've found it helpful, a donation to help keep in on the web would be appreciated, thanks! K. Biggs |
A Facebook Western Odonata group was formed in 2013. Click on image above link to check it out!
Sketch of a dragonfly body showing the body parts |
DRAGONFLIES - Anisoptera:Large, heavy-bodied; ordinarily larger than damselflies. Wings are held open & flat or down & forward when perched. Large eyes are spaced very close together and in most families actually touch, creating a seam down the center. Strong fliers; a few are even migratory. Males have three terminal abdominal appendages and a bump (genitalia) under their second abdominal segment. All females have only two terminal abdominal appendages and in many families they also have an ovipositor. Most dragonflies lay their eggs directly into the water. As of 2010, the southwest has at least 132 species of Anisoptera in 45 genera, representing all seven American dragonfly families. |
Sketch of a damselfly body showing the body parts |
DAMSELFLIES - ZygopteraSlender-bodied, generally smaller and more frail than dragonflies. Most have an eyespot in back of each eye. When perched, all four wings are usually held together alongside or sail- like over the abdomen. Eyes set far apart on head, appear hammer headed. Weak fliers, usually found not too far from water. Males have a bump (genitalia) under their 2nd abdominal segment and four terminal abdominal appendages. Females have a wide ovipositor on the lower end of their abdomen and only two terminal abdominal appendages. Damselflies lay their eggs directly into vegetation. As of 2016, the southwest has at least 82 damselfly species in 17 SW genera, representing all 4 American families. Note that the family Protoneuridae is gone; it has been lumped into the Coenagrionidae. http://www.odonatacentral.org/docs/NA_Odonata_Checklist.pdf |
Click here to see the life cycle of a dragonfly in a photo story with text!
Click on a map or text below to be taken to a website that features only the dragonflies of that particular state.
There is also a Western Odonata Facebook page that covers all these states and several more
and CalOdes discussion group |
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and an Arizona Facebook group |
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I'm glad you enjoy the dragonflies and damselflies too! THANK-YOU for visiting!!
Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing
Hosted By 
-- They are a great company and have a wonderful referral program. Click on their name to find out more about them.