Dragonflies of the Southwest (Odonata) - Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah

Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Greater Southwest
- Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah


=!= The companion website for Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest =!=


Please scroll down to find the links that interest you.
Enter the on-line guide below these dragonfly educational materials



NEW 2015
Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest
Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico,
Nevada and Utah


by Kathy Biggs
June 2015

updates to species maps- 2016

Updated - Spring 2013
Dragonflies of California and the Greater Southwest
A Beginner's Guide

Use on your Kindle, Nook, Smartphone or computer - weightless!

by Kathy Biggs - Price $5.88

Buy through Amazon.com (Kindle app)
or Barnes and Noble (Nook app)

SORRY - OUT OF PRINT
by Kathy Biggs
Click to enlarge cover and to

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!

BELOMO 10x Triplet, Loupe & lanyard

Useful for seeing those tiny dragonfly parts!


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

Join our SoWestOdes Yahoo!! Discussion group



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 - Zygoptera



Slender-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 2010, the southwest has at least 80 damselfly species in 15 SW genera, representing 4 of the 5 American families.

Click here to see the life cycle of a dragonfly in a photo story with text!


A Facebook Western Odonata group was formed in 2013. Click on the image above to check it out!


Click on a map or text below to be taken to a website that features only the dragonflies of that particular state.


and discussion group: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/


Odes of Utah available now free - open access PDF
and discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/co_odes/ and and

I'm glad you enjoy the dragonflies and damselflies too! THANK-YOU for visiting!!

Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing

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Kathy Biggs