These insects, in the order Odonata, undergo a complete metamorphosis from their aquatic, wingless larvae to their winged, often colorful, adult stage.  Two main groups are recognized:  Damselflies and Dragonflies.  Quivira has numerous species in both categories, and the most common species are shown below.

Damselflies

Typically rather delicate, slow-flying insects, with very narrow bodies.  Many fly with a skipping motion, and most hold their wings closed at rest.

 

American Rubyspot, a rather large damsel that is found only where running water exists.

Bluet, one of several very similar species of tiny, pond-side damsels.

Dragonflies 

 

 

Stout-bodied insects and fast-flying.  Some fly low and fast, others fly high and are difficult to see well.

 

Common Blue Darner, our largest and fastest species.	Eastern Amberwing, our smallest species, and uniquely colored.
Blue Dasher, a fairly common, medium-sized species.  Females are brown.	Eastern Pondhawk, similar to the Blue Dasher, but without the striped thorax. Females are bright green and black.
This brightly-patterned, small species is called a Band-winged Meadowhawk.	The Variegated Meadowhawk, is our most common species, seen much of the year.
Halloween Pennant, a distinctive species of pond banks.	Somewhat similar to the related Widow Skimmer, the Common Whitetail differs by having no blue on the wings, and different positions of the brown wing spots.
The Twelve-spotted Skimmer is easy to identify by its brown and blue-spotted wings.	Widow Skimmer, a very common, medium-sized dragonfly.  Females lack the blue on the wings.
The Black Saddlebags is a fairly large, fast species that is named after its dark patches on the wings.	A real treat to find is the Red Saddlebags, a fairly large species like its cousin the Black Saddlebags.