Best Petaluridae

Uropetala carovei, commonly known as the New Zealand bush giant dragonfly, is a large dragonfly native only to New Zealand’s forests. This species stands out due to its impressive size and the predatory behavior of its larval stage, which targets land snails. It is primarily observed in forested are...

The petaltail dragonfly, *Petalura pulcherrima*, is a rare species native to Australia’s swamps. Distinguished by its exceptionally wide, petal-like extensions on its abdomen, this dragonfly is one of the largest in the Petaluridae family. It's notable for its unique morphology and limited distribut...

The Australian petaltail, *Petalura gigantea*, is a large dragonfly species found in swampy areas of eastern Australia. It’s notable for its unique larval stage, which burrows into streambanks, a rarely observed adaptation among dragonflies. This unusual insect is primarily studied by entomologists...

The Black Petaltail, *Tanypteryx hageni*, is a unique dragonfly native to western United States seep environments. This species represents a relatively ancient lineage within dragonflies, offering valuable insights into their evolutionary history. Primarily observed in forested mountain areas, it’s...

The Gray Petaltail, *Tachopteryx thoreyi*, is a rare dragonfly found in southeastern U.S. bogs and wetlands. It’s notable as one of the oldest dragonfly lineages still existing in North America. This species exhibits distinctive gray coloration on its thorax and abdomen. Primarily a focus for entomo...

The Giant Petaltail, *Tachopteryx thoreyi*, is a remarkably large dragonfly belonging to the Petaluridae family. It’s notable for representing one of the oldest lineages of dragonflies still existing in North America. Found primarily within seeps and wetlands of eastern United States, this species o...