Template:Libellulidae

Libellulidae

Order

Odonata

Family

Libellulidae

Common name

Skimmer

These dragonfly larvae (sub-order Anisoptera) can be distinguished from damselfly larvae (sub-order Zygoptera) by their more robust bodies and an abdomen that ends in five 'spikes' as opposed to three gills. The family Libellulidae is characterized by their spoon-shaped mouthparts.They are distinguished from the other family with this trait, Cordulegastridae, by the small rounded teeth on the edges of their palpal lobes.

Images of the spoon-shaped mouthparts, and the small, rounded teeth.