The Damselflies and Dragonflies of
south-central Hastings County, Ontario

99 species and counting ...

Damselflies ... Suborder Zygoptera
Broad-winged Damselflies ... Family Calopterygidae
Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)
Similar species – female River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis)
River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis)
Similar species – female Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)

Spread-winged Damselflies ... Family Lestidae
Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus)
Similar species – male Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus) and Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)
Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)
Similar species – male Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) and male Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)
Similar species – Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) and male Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)
Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)
Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis)
Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax)
Similar species – Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis)
Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas)
Similar species – Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis)
Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis)
Similar species – Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax) and Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas)
Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus)

Pond Damselflies ... Family Coenagrionidae
Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum)
Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum)
Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)
Similar species – female Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)
Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)
Similar species – female Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)
Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale)
Similar species – Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum), Vernal Bluet (Enallagma vernale)
Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum)
and Vernal Bluet (Enallagma vernale)
Similar species – Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale)
Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium)
Similar species – Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile), Hagen's Bluet (Enallagma hageni) and possibly the Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)
Hagen's Bluet (Enallagma hageni)
Similar species – Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile), Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium) and possibly the Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)
Similar species – Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium), Hagen's Bluet (Enallagma hageni) and possibly the Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)
Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)
Similar species – possibly the Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile), Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium) and Hagen's Bluet (Enallagma hageni)
Stream Bluet (Enallagma exsulans)
Similar species – Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum westfalli)
Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum westfalli)
Similar species – Stream Bluet (Enallagma exsulans)
Azure Bluet (Enallagma aspersum)
Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum)
Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum)
Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum)
Similar species – teneral and immature Vesper Bluet (Enallagma vesperum), possibly immature female Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Vesper Bluet (Enallagma vesperum)
Similar species – teneral and immature Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum)
Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Similar species – Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita), possibly Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum)
Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita)
Similar species – Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene)
Similar species – Spahgnum Sprite (Nehalennia gracilis)

Dragonflies ... Suborder Anisoptera
Darners ... Family Aeshnidae
Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis)
Similar species – Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis), Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita), possibly Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta) and Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis)
Similar species – Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita), possibly Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta) and Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)
Similar species – Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis), possibly Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta) and Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta)
Similar species – possibly Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis), Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita) and Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)
Similar species – possibly Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta), Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis), Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis) and Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)
Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa)
Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)
Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra)
Spatterdock Darner (Rhionaeschna mutata)
Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha)
Harlequin Darner (Gomphaeschna furcillata)
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata)
Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa)

Clubtails ... Family Gomphidae
Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus)
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)
Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer)
Similar species – Horned Clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus) and Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)
Horned Clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus)
Similar species – Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer) and Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)
Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)
Similar species – Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer) and Horned Clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus)
Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)
Similar species – Dusky Clubtail (Gomphus spicatus) and Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus)
Dusky Clubtail (Gomphus spicatus)
Similar species – Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis) and Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus)
Mustached Clubtail (Gomphus adelphus)
Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis)
Eastern Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus)

Spiketails ... Family Cordulegastridae
Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
Delta-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster diastatops)
Twin-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata)

Cruisers ... Family Macromiidae
Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa)
Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis)

Emeralds ... Family Corduliidae
American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffi)
Similar species – Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera)
Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera)
Similar species – American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffi)
Brush-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora walshii)
Williamson's Emerald (Somatochlora williamsoni)
Forcipate Emerald (Somatochlora forcipata)
Similar species – Delicate Emerald (Somatochlora franklini), Kennedy's Emerald (Somatochlora kennedyi), Incurvate Emerald (Somatochlora incurvata)
Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri)
Similar species – Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis), Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera), Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura)
Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura)
Similar species – Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis), Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera), Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri)
Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis)
Similar species – Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura), Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera), Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri)
Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera)
Similar species – Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis), Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura), Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri)
Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps)
Similar species – female and immature male Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), female Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis)

Skimmers ... Family Libellulidae
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)
Similar species – Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea)
Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea)
Similar species – Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)
Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella)
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina)
Similar species – Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
Similar species – Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa)
Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa)
Similar species – Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta)
Similar species – other Leucorrhinia females
Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida)
Similar species – Belted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima), other Leucorrhinia females
Belted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima)
Similar species – Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida), other Leucorrhinia females
Hudsonian Whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum)
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)
Similar species – Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum), possibly immature male and female White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum)
Similar species – Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum), possibly immature male and female White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
Similar species – immature male and female Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum) and Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)
Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)
Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia)
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Similar species – female and immature male Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Similar species – female Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)
Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata)
Similar species – possibly Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata praenubila)

Odonate Naiads and Exuviae
Damselfly (Zygoptera) Naiads
Skimmer (Libellulidae) Exuviae
Clubtail (Gomphidae) Naiads
Spiketail (Cordulegaster) Naiads
Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa) Exuviae
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) Exuviae
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) Exuviae
Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) Naiad
Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis) Exuviae
Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) Exuviae
Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) Emerging
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) Emerging
Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis) Emerging
Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa) Emerging

Where to find Damselflies and Dragonflies
Local Odonate Habitats

Ontario Odonata Atlas

Kingston Field Naturalists
Checklist of Damselflies and Dragonflies of Kingston

Willow Beach Field Naturalists
A List of the Odonates of Northumberland County, Ontario

Pembroke Area Field Naturalists
Odonates of Renfrew County

Odonate Field Guides and Keys
Field Guide to The Dragonflies and Damselflies of
Algonquin Provincial Park and the Surrounding Area

Damselflies of the Northeast

Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East

Odonata Larvae of Michigan