The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Nebraska

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of NebraskaThe Nebraska odonate list has 109 species in two suborders, damselflies (Zygoptera) with 47 species and dragonflies (Anisoptera) with 62 species. Nebraska had been very poorly surveyed prior to 2005 and 63 counties had fewer than 10 records. By 2017 the number of county records had nearly quadrupled, to over 3000 records, the average county total had increased from 9 to 33, and all counties had at least 21 records. Areas with intense corn and soybean

The Nebraska odonate list has 109 species in two suborders, damselflies (Zygoptera) with 47 species and dragonflies (Anisoptera) with 62 species. Nebraska had been very poorly surveyed prior to 2005 and 63 counties had fewer than 10 records. By 2017 the number of county records had nearly quadrupled, to over 3000 records, the average county total had increased from 9 to 33, and all counties had at least 21 records. Areas with intense corn and soybean farming, eastern and southcentral areas, are low in diversity (21-30 species per county), the southeast and western half of the state are higher (31-40 species) and the northwestern and northern Sandhill counties are the richest with more than 50 species per county. This paper presents a short history of odonate study in Nebraska and an analysis of the data for the 109 species recorded in Nebraska to date. Distribution maps by county are included for each identified species.