Calopterygidae | |
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Immature adult male Calopteryx virgo | |
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Adult male Calopteryx virgo | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Suborder: | Zygoptera |
Superfamily: | Calopterygoidea |
Family: | Calopterygidae Sélys, 1850 |
Subfamilies | |
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The Calopterygidae are a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera.[1] They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies,[2] demoiselles, or jewelwings.[3] These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm (compared to about 44 mm in the common bluetail damselfly, Ischnura elegans), are often metallic-coloured, and can be differentiated from other damselflies by the broader connection between the wings and the body, as opposed to the abrupt narrowing seen in other damselfly families.[4] The family contains some 150 species.
The Calopterygidae are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live along rivers and streams.[5]