These are the dragonflies and Anisoptera means unequal-winged from the fact that the hind wings are usually shorter and wider than the forewings. The eyes are large and usually touch at the top of the head. In the UK there are around 30 different species.
‘When foraging, dragonflies can be categorized as “perchers” or “fliers.” Perchers spend much of their time stationary, making short flights from perches to capture prey and then perching to consume it. In contrast, fliers are on the wing for a large part of their feeding activity, capturing their prey in the air and swallowing small prey while in flight; they do however perch to consume larger prey.’
The number of species in each family, taken from CoL, is just to give a general idea and is not necessarily up to date. I have only listed the species where I have a photograph.
Superfamily Aeshnoidea
Family Aeshnidae – hawkers or darners — 543 sp.
Aeshna affinis, Southern migrant hawker
Aeshna cyanea, Southern hawker
Aeshna grandis, Brown hawker
Brachytron pratense, Hairy hawker
Anax junius, Common green darner
Family Gomphidae – clubtails — 964 sp.
Gomphus pulchellus, Western clubtail
Family Neopetaliidae — 1 sp
Family Petaluridae – petaltails — 10 sp.
Superfamily Cordulegastroidea
Family Cordulegastridae – spiketails — 92 sp.
Superfamily Libelluloidea
Family Corduliidae – emeralds — 377 sp
Family Libellulidae – skimmers, etc — 1,031 sp.
Libellula depressa, Broad-bodied chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata, Four-spotted chaser
Libellula saturata, Flame skimmer
Orthetrum coerulescens, Keeled skimmer
Sympetrum danae, Black darter
Sympetrum fonscolombii, Red-veined darter
Sympetrum internum, Cherry-faced meadowhawk
Sympetrum striolatum, Common darter
Family Macromiidae – cruisers
Family Synthemistidae – tigertails — 43 sp.
Most of these were taken in the UK.
Dragonflies are quite harmless insects; they do not sting and will try to bite humans only when held captive.
Family Aeshnidae – hawkers or darners ~ 543 sp.
Aeshna affinis
Southern Migrant Hawker at RSPB Siddlesham Ferry – September 2013
Aeshna cyanea
Southern hawker – just emerged on fountain in my pond in Elstead – July 2010
Aeshna grandis
Brown hawker in my conservatory – July 2010
Brachytron pratense
Hairy hawker (probably) at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserver – 29 April 2017
Anax junius
Common green darner – in Cayman January 2009
Family Gomphidae – clubtails ~ 964 sp.
Gomphus pulchellus
Western clubtail – Brittany, France 13 May 2011
Gomphus pulchellus
Western clubtail – Brittany, France 13 May 2011
Family Libellulidae – skimmers, etc ~ 1,031 sp.
Libellula depressa
Broad-bodied chaser (female) – Sydney Wood, 1 June 2020
Libellula quadrimaculata
Four-spotted Chaser – on Thursley Common – July 2017
Libellula quadrimaculata
Four-spotted Chaser – on Thursley Common – July 2017
Libellula saturata
Flame skimmer – Yellowstone National Park – 30 August 2017
Orthetrum coerulescens
Keeled skimmer on Thursley Common – August 2009
Sympetrum danae
Black darter (female) Thursley Common – August 2011
Sympetrum fonscolombii
Red-veined darter – Extremadura, Spain, April 2016
Sympetrum internum
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk in Yellowstone National Park – August 2017
Sympetrum striolatum
Common darter (male) on Thursley – October 2010
Sympetrum striolatum
Common darter (female) in Fisherlane Wood – Wednesday 1 July 2020