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Petaluridae- Petaltails

 

Classification

 Kingdom: Animalia
 Phylum: Arthropoda
 Subphylum: Hexapoda
 Class: Insecta
 Order: Odonata
 Family: Petaluridae

Giant Brush DragonflyThis is probably the oldest living dragonfly family. Fossil records of petaltails go back to the Jurassic period 150 million years ago.

This family includes the largest species of dragonfly, the giant Petaltail (Petalura ingentissima). The giant petaltail is found in Australia and has a wingspan of six inches.

There are two species in this family found in the United States, the gray petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi) and the black petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni). The gray petaltail is found in the eastern United States and the black petaltail is found in the western United States.

 

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct Not Enough DataNot Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Endangered in US Endangered in US Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.
  New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH Breeds in NH
Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH More Info Click for More Info picture Click for Image

  New Hampshire Species

 

  North American Species

None
  Black Petaltail - Tanypteryx hageni North America More Info
Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi   Least Concern North America image More Info

Selected Species Around the World


Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH

Giant Petaltail - Petalura ingentissima Australia
Coastal Petaltail - Petalura litorea   Near Threatened Australia More Info
Beautiful Petaltail - Petalura pulcherrima   Endangered Australia
Chilean Petaltail - Phenes raptor   Least Concern South America

  Tanypteryx pryeri  Asia image
Bush Giant Dragonfly - Uropetala carovei   Least Concern Australia image
Mountain Giant Dragonfly - Uropetala chiltoni Least Concern Australia

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio New Hampshire Species NH Species

Black Petaltail - Tanypteryx hageni   Photos North America
The black petaltail is found from southern British Columbia to central California
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Coastal Petaltail - Petalura litorea Photos Near Threatened  Australia
The coastal petaltail is found from southeastern Queensland to northeastern New South Wales in Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi profile  Photos Least Concern North America
The gray petaltail is found from New York to northern Florida and west to Texas.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi profile  Photos Least Concern North America
The gray petaltail is 2-3 inches in length.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School