With over 60 species of damselflies and over 85 species of dragonflies, Arizona is a great state to find odonates.
Some of the most widespread and easiest found species are the Familiar Bluet, Common Green Darner, and Blue Dasher. Inversely, multiple species with established populations in Arizona do not (or exceptionally) occur in other U.S. states. These include the Cerulean, Marsh, Sabino, Sierra Madre, and Tarascan Dancers as well as the Black-and-white Damsel, Desert Shadowdamsel, and Spot-winged Meadowhawk.
Arizona also has a number of rare species that have ever been sighted only a few times such as the Chalky Spreadwing, Pin-tailed Pondhawk, and Spot-tailed Dasher. And some species are so rare that they have been found only once, e.g., the Black-tailed Ringtail, Yellow-legged Ringtail, and Three-striped Thrasher.
Most species are seasonally most abundant during the summer and the beginning of the fall. However, many species also fly in the spring as well as into the fall. And a few species, such as Variegated Meadowhawk, can be found year round!
In the species pages of this section, you will find photographs, general information, identification tips, comparison tips, maps showing where each species has been found in the past... and more!
Keep in mind that as is the case for most organisms, individual variation exists within each species that is related not only to sex but also to age, geographic region, and other factors.