Cordulegastridae
1 species
The Cordulegastridae are a family of Odonata (dragonflies) from the suborder Anisoptera. They are commonly known as spiketails. Some vernacular names for the species of this family are biddie and flying adder. They have large, brown or black bodies with yellow markings, and narrow unpatterned wings. Their bright eyes touch at a single point, and they can be found along small, clear, woodland streams, flying slowly 30 to 70 cm above the water. When disturbed, however, they can fly very rapidly. They usually hunt high in forest vegetation, and prefer to capture prey resting on leaves or branches (known as gleaning).
Since nymphs are aquatic and adults are terrestrial, their habitats are quite different. The preferred habitat of Cordulegastridae nymphs are small lotic or flowing streams with clean sand and silt substrates. Adults on the other hand fly above clear streams and small rivers in the woods, with females only entering the water to lay their eggs.
Their distribution includes North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. All eight species in North America belong to the genus Cordulegaster.
The Cordulegastridae are a family of Odonata (dragonflies) from the suborder Anisoptera. They are commonly known as spiketails. Some vernacular names for the species of this family are biddie and flying adder. They have large, brown or black bodies with yellow markings, and narrow unpatterned wings. Their bright eyes touch at a single point, and they can be found along small, clear, woodland streams, flying slowly 30 to 70 cm above the water. When disturbed, however, they can fly very rapidly. They usually hunt high in forest vegetation, and prefer to capture prey resting on leaves or branches (known as gleaning).
Since nymphs are aquatic and adults are terrestrial, their habitats are quite different. The preferred habitat of Cordulegastridae nymphs are small lotic or flowing streams with clean sand and silt substrates. Adults on the other hand fly above clear streams and small rivers in the woods, with females only entering the water to lay their eggs.
Their distribution includes North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. All eight species in North America belong to the genus Cordulegaster.
