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Richard Connors | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Tennessee Odonata - Dragonflies and Damselflies tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Tennessee Odonata - Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonfly Society of the Americas (DSA) currently lists 167 dragonfly and damselfly species for Tennessee. The most recent addition- Red-veined Pennant (Libellula bertha), was found Sept. '21 in McNairy County, see below under Skimmers. Harpoon Clubtail (Phanogomphus descriptus) and Regal Darner (Coryphaeschna ingens) were added in May 2019, with photo documentation. Other recent additions to the Odonate fauna of TN are: ; American Emerald, Cordulia shurtleffii, found June 17, 2017 in Carter Co. (see under Emeralds), Thornbush Dasher, Micranthyria hagenii, found 11 July 2015 in middle TN (see details below under Skimmers); in west TN - Riverine Clubtail, Stylurus amnicola, found 30 June 2015; Checkered Setwing, Dythemis fugax, found 20 September '15; and White-faced Meadowhawk, Sympetrum obtrusum, found 27 July '15 in east TN.

In 2017 there was a re-categorizing of sub-families for the Gomphus clubtail group (Gomphus was eliminated, replaced with Gomphurus, etc.), other clubtails stayed the same. And all other species listed for Tennessee stayed the same. See Odonata Central for current N.A. Checklist with scientific names (each taxon in Alphabetical order).
**Contact me for a PRINTABLE CHECKLIST OF TENNESSEE ODOANATES **


This is a gallery of 120+ species that I have photographed so far. Almost all of these were found in Tennessee within the last fifteen-plus years, either on my own, or while conducting dragonfly surveys for Tennessee State Parks' All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) from 2006 - 2012.
The identifications for most of these are my own and based mainly on field guides: Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East by Dennis Paulson, Damselflies of the Northeast by Ed Lam, Dragonflies through Binoculars by Sid Dunkle, Giff Beaton's book for Georgia and the Southeast, and Giff's web site, as well as some correspondence with other DSA members. References: Dragonflies of North America by Needham, Wesfall & May, and Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata by Phillip S. Corbet. For possible species occuring in the western and southern parts of the state I also use Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas by John Abbott.

Please enjoy, and submit comments or questions if you like. Thanks, Richard
jewelwings/rubyspots
:: jewelwings/rubyspots :: 		spreadwings
:: spreadwings :: 		damsels, dancers
:: damsels, dancers :: 		bluets
:: bluets ::
forktails
:: forktails :: 		sprites, firetail
:: sprites, firetail :: 		petaltail
:: petaltail :: 		darners
:: darners ::
clubtails A
:: clubtails A :: 		clubtails B
:: clubtails B :: 		spiketails
:: spiketails :: 		cruisers
:: cruisers ::
emeralds
:: emeralds :: 		skimmers_etc
:: skimmers_etc :: 		emergence & tenerals
:: emergence & tenerals :: 		confusing clubtails
:: confusing clubtails ::
Gomphurus sandrius (Tennessee Clubtail)
:: Gomphurus sandrius (Tennessee Clubtail) :: 		Duck River Complex
:: Duck River Complex :: 		Gomphus crassus vs G. fraternus
:: Gomphus crassus vs G. fraternus :: 		bug eat bug
:: bug eat bug ::
Ophiogomphus
:: Ophiogomphus :: 		Lanthus vernalis
:: Lanthus vernalis :: 		Piedmont clubtail
:: Piedmont clubtail :: 		Green-faced Clubtail
:: Green-faced Clubtail ::
Ophiogomphus mainensis
:: Ophiogomphus mainensis :: 		DSA 2012 SE foray
:: DSA 2012 SE foray :: 		DSA 2015 SE foray
:: DSA 2015 SE foray :: 		Big South Fork odes
:: Big South Fork odes ::
TN counties
:: TN counties :: 		Clubtail scientific name changes
:: Clubtail scientific name changes :: 		DSA/ June Odes 2017
:: DSA/ June Odes 2017 :: 		dragonfly scans
:: dragonfly scans ::
DSO2
:: DSO2  ::

comment | share
Richard Connors29-Mar-2017 15:23
Odonates will emerge, starting now in March in Tennessee, and depending on species, continue at intervals over the course of the long season. Some are early specialists, like Stream Crusier, Didymops transversa; Springtime Darner, Basiaeschna janata; some of the forktails have several generations in one year.
stfern27-Mar-2017 22:13
When would you expect the naiads to emerge from the water to molt?
SmartmilToys.com12-Nov-2016 12:38
great collection!
Aaran 04-Aug-2016 20:45
Saw a vey petite damselfly today in Sumner Co, close to Ky. Body was electric blue, head was turquoise, wings clear but when the sun hit just right, there were burgundy sparkles, like nail polish or car paint with the metallic flecks. It was landing on milkweed (no blooms), and pointing its body completely vertical. I swear I saw it blink. Any idea who this beauty is? I haven't seen one in any of the databases. Thanks.
Dave Frandsen 23-Jun-2016 23:46
Saw this critter on our brick wall in Farragut
Guest 12-May-2016 20:10
Love seeing your photos, especially those of the dragonflies and damselflies. How does one get on a mailing list for nature workshops with you? I would love to participate in all of them.
Sally Edwards
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