Calopterygidae

Calopterygidae
Calopteryx virgo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Calopterygidae Sélys, 1850
Subfamilies
See text for genera Caliphaeinae Calopteryginae Hetaerininae

Calopterygidae are a family of damselflies in the order Odonata and are commonly known as broad-winged damselflies or demoiselles. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 5–8 cm and they're often metallic-coloured. The family contains some 150 species. As the common name suggests they have broader wings than other damselflies and at rest hold their wings parallel to the body and slightly elevated.

Etymology

The name is derived from Greek kalos meaning beautiful and ptery meaning winged.

Classification

Subfamily Caliphaeinae Tillyard & Fraser, 1939:

• Caliphaea Hagen in Selys, 1859
• Noguchiphaea Asahina, 1976

Subfamily Calopteryginae Selys, 1859:

• Archineura Kirby, 1894
• Atrocalopteryx Dumont, Vanfleteren, De Jonckheere, & Weekers, 2005
• Calopteryx Leach, 1815
• Echo Selys, 1853
• Iridictyon Needham & Fisher, 1940
• Matrona Selys, 1853
• Mnais Selys, 1853
• Neurobasis Selys, 1853
• Phaon Selys, 1853
• Psolodesmus McLachlan, 1870
• Sapho Selys, 1853
• Umma Kirby, 1890
• Vestalis Selys, 1853

Subfamily Hetaerininae Selys, 1853:

• Hetaerina Cowley, 1934
• Mnesarete Hagen in Selys, 1853

See also

• List of damselflies of the world (Calopterygidae)

References

• Martin Schorr, Martin Lindeboom, Dennis Paulson. "World Odonata List". University of Puget Sound. http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/biodiversity-resources/dragonflies/world-odonata-list/. Retrieved 11 August 2010.