Below are the defintions for common terms found on this site.

Abdomen

The segmented tail-like section of the body. An example can be found here.

Anal Appendages

The appendages on the posterior end of the abdomen, also known as 'claspers'. There are superior (upper) and inferior (lower) appendages. In male Dragonflies they are used to clasp the female around the head (dragonflies) or the pronotum (damselflies) during mating and when in tandem. An example can be found here.

Anal Pyramid

Three short spines that form a pointed end at the rear of the anisopteran (dragonfly), as compared to longer, feather-like spines in zygoperans (damselflies).

Anisoptera

dragonflies, a sub-order of the order Odonata.

Antehumeral Stripes

Stripes along the dorsal surface of the thorax.

Antenna(e)

A pair of sensory organs on top of the head.

Arthropoda

the phylum to which insects belong. Arthropods are invertebrates (having no backbone) with exoskeletons and joined appendages.

Caudal Gills or Caudal Lamellae

Leaf-like appendages of zygopteran larvae used for respiration.

Cercus (s.), Cerci (pl.)

The outer pair of anal appendages on anisopteran larvae. An example can be found here.

Costa

Major vein running along the leading edge of the wings.

Crenulations

Zig-zag edges.

Dichotomous key

A tool used to identify an unknown plant or animal specimen that uses pairs (couplets) of questions or descriptions leading the user to a conclusion.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the ‘back’ side of the specimen.

Emergence (Emerge)

the transformation to an adult stage. Larvae typically crawl out of the water to emerge; the exoskeleton splits and the adult wriggles free. See: http://www.giffbeaton.com/Emergence.htm.

Epiproct

The middle anal appendage on anisopteran larvae.

Exuvia (pl) exuviae

After emergence, the exoskeleton that is left behind.

Family

A taxonomic group between order and genus. (also see: http://dragonflywoman.wordpress.com/scientific-names/taxonomy/.

Femur

The first segment of the leg. An example can be found here.

Frons

The most prominent part of the face in anisopteran dragonflies.

Frontal Shelf

Part of the head, projecting between the antennae.

Genus

A class, group, or kind with common attributes.

Labial

Related to the labium.

Labium

The lower lip of the dragonfly's mouthparts; in the larva this is held under the head but can rapidly shoot forwards to catch prey.

Larva (pl) larvae

An immature or juvenile form of an animal before it undergoes metamorphosis into an adult form.

Lateral Spine

Spine on the side of anisopteran larvae. An example can be found here.

Lateral Lobe

See: Palpal Lobe

Ligula

The terminal (end) lobes of the labium.

Median Lobe

Central lobe on hind margin of pronotum.

Mental Setae

Setae (bristle-like structures) located on the mentum.

Mentum

The extendable mouthpart of an odonate used to capture prey.

Mid-Dorsal Spine

A spine in the center of the back.

Nymph

The juvenile form of many insects, similar to a larva but specifically used for insects (not other animals, such as amphibians – which would be called larvae, not nymphs).

Odonata

An order of the class Insecta, consisting of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera) (plus, in some areas of the world, a third, small sub-order called Anisozygoptera).

Ovipositor

The egg laying structure located beneath abdominal segments 8-10 in females.

Palpal Lobe

A movable part of the labium that has a hook at the end.

Paraprocts

The inner pair of anal appendages on anisopteran larvae.

Phylum

A taxonomic group between order and genus. (also see: http://dragonflywoman.wordpress.com/scientific-names/taxonomy/.

Pronotum

A shield-like plate covering the top of the thorax.

Pseudo-Pterostigma

A pale patch, resembling a pterostigma on the wings of female Calopteryx.

Pterostigma

A coloured, chitinous patch on the outer region of each wing.

Segment

A section of the abdomen.

Species

A class of individuals or objects grouped by virtue of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a division subordinate to a genus.

Tarsus (pl) tarsi

The three segments and a claw on the end of the leg. An example can be found here.

Thorax, Thoracic

The segment of the body between the head and the abdomen. An example can be found here.

Tibia

The second section of the leg. An example can be found here.

Ventral

Pertaining to the ‘belly’ side of the specimen.

Vulvar Scale

A flap below abdominal segment 8 in females which can be prominent in some species. An example can be found here.

Wing Node

A notch halfway along the leading edge of the wing.

Wing Pads

Un-developed wings, on the back of the thorax.

Wing Sheath

A protective case for the wings.