Saskatchewan Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
To the general public dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are some of the most conspicuous and well-known aquatic insects. The adults of both suborders have four wings and an elongated abdomen. The dragonflies and Lestidae hold their wings spread out at rest while the Calyopterygidae and Coenagrionidae; hold their wings over the abdomen. The Lestidae usually have a yellow, bronze or metallic green sheen to them. The Coenagrionidae are usually blue with black markings. One of our most spectacular damselflies is Calopteryx aequabilis (Calopterygidae), which have a beautiful metallic green abdomen and black wing tips.
In North America there are 11 families and about 650 species of Odonata. In Saskatchewan at least 26 species of Zygoptera and 50 species of Anisoptera have been recorded.
Both the adult and larval stages are predatory. The adults feed on every type of flying insect including each other. In flight the prey is captured in a basket created by the spiny legs. The adults also search out and pick off insects that are resting on vegetation. The larvae feed on all types of aquatic invertebrates. Larger dragonfly larvae will even feed on tadpoles and small fish. Prey is either stalked amongst the vegetation or ambushed. When a prey item is within range the larvae rapidly extends a hinged mouthpart with toothed jaws that grasp the prey and pulls it to the mouth where it is devoured by strong chewing mandibles.
Larvae inhabit all types of standing and running water. Most cling to submerged vegetation or crawl through the debris. One family, Gomphidae, inhabit flowing waters. The larvae of this family are typically flattened and burrow just below the substrate surface.
The life cycle consists of an egg and a multi-instar larva that transforms into the adult. In Saskatchewan a life cycle takes at least one year to complete and in some habitats two years or more may be required. When it is time to emerge into the adult a larva crawls out of the water onto a piece of vegetation, a rock or the shoreline.
The adults are relatively long lived and exhibit a number of interesting behaviours. Evidence suggests adults of Anax junius migrate from the northern states into the southern part of Canada, including Saskatchewan, in early spring. They mate and lay their eggs. The new generation emerges in autumn and migrates south. Males of many species are extremely territorial. They set up a territory where there are good oviposition sites and vigorously defend it from other males and challenge other dragonfly species and other animals that enter their territory.
The mating procedure of odonates is unique. The male sperm transfer organs are located on the second abdominal segment. Before mating they curl the end of the abdomen up to the second segment to transfer the sperm. The end of the male abdomen has claspers that grasp the female by the prothorax or head. The female then curls her abdomen upwards to reach the transfer organs. Once mating is complete the pair will often fly in tandem. This enables the male to protect the female from other males while she is ovipositing.
Below is a basic larval key to the families of dragonflies and damselflies found in Saskatchewan.
1a: End of abdomen has three leaf-like structures (gills)
Arrow indicates gills.. One or all of these may be broken off. Body elongated.--Zygoptera (Damselflies)-- Go to 2
1b: End of abdomen not as above, with a short "cone" 
~~~~structure made up of a number of parts. Body
~~~~ overall much fatter and robust in appearance than above.--Ansioptera (Dragonflies)--Go to 4
2a: First antennal 
Arrow indicates first antennal segment.segment much longer and thicker than all the rest combined.--Calopterygidae
2b: First antennal segment similar to the remaining segments in size.3
3a: The pincer part of the mouth parts on a long stalk 
~~~~~ that usually extends well beyond bases of forelegs when folded at rest.--Lestidae
3b: The pincer on a shorter stalk
~~~~ . When folded it barely extends beyond forelegs.--Coenagrionidae
4a: Mouth parts
~~~~ when folded at rest cover the front of the head like a mask up to just below the eyes.--Libellulidae (There are two subfamilies of this family found in SK, Libellulinae and Corduliinae, that are considered as distinct families by some authors.)
4b: Mouth parts
Side view of head. are flat and held under the head when folded at rest.--5
5a: Antennae with six or seven segments all similar shape size.--Aeshnidae (Darners)
5b: Only 4 antennal segments. The third
Arrow indicates third antennal segment. segment is much longer and thicker than the others.--Gomphidae
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Saskatchewan species list to Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
(Please note if you do not have a "wheeled" mouse and a list expands below the page bottom just left click on the first entry of the list in question and use the keyboard's down arrow button to scroll down the list.)
References
Beukeboom, L.W. and M. Wasscha. 1986. Odonata collected in Canada in 1983. Notulae Odontologicae. 2:129-131.
Catling, P.M. and B. Kostiuk. 2004. Three additions to the Odonata of Saskatchewan, and some notable records. Argia 16:18-20.
Catling, P.M. and B. Kostiuk. 2004. Dragonflies recorded in 2004 from the Saskatchewan portion of the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Argia 16:20-21.
Clifford, H.F. 1991. Aquatic Invertebrates of Alberta. University of Alberta Press.
Hilton, D.F.J. 1985, Dragonflies (Odonata) of Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Alberta and their biogeographic significance. Can. Ent. 117:1127-1136.
Lehmkuhl, D.M. 1975. Saskatchewan damselflies and dragonflies. Blue Jay 33:18-27
Hutchings, G.E. 2005. A list of the Odonata of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Wilderness Park, SK. Blue Jay 63:87-93.
Hutchings, G.E. 2004. Eight new species or previously unrecorded species of Odonata (dragonflies) for Saskatchewan. Blue Jay, 62:98-103.
Lehmkuhl, D.M. 1979. How to know the Aquatic Insects. Wm. C. Brown Co. Publishers. Dubuque, Iowa.
Needham, J.G., M.J. Westfall Jr. and M.L. May. 2000. Dragonflies of North America. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, FL.
Tennessen, K.J. 2008. Chapter 12: Odonata. In. Merritt R.W. and K.W. Cummins. Ed. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. 4th Edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Dubuque, Iowa.
Walker, E.M. 1953. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Vol. One. Part I: General. Part II: The Zygoptera-Damselflies. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.
Walker, E.M. 1958. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Vol. Two. Part III: The Anisoptera- Four Families. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.
Walker, E.M. and P.S. Corbet. 1975.The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Vol. Three. Part III: The Anisoptera- Three Families. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.
Westfall, M.J. Jr. and M. L. May. 1996. Damselflies of North America. Scientific Publishers, Washington.