Calopterygidae

The adults have metallic bodies; their wings are broader, with wider bases than other damselflies, and at rest hold their wings parallel to the body, slightly elevated. Some species have conspicuously colored wings; in males, the wings are usually blue, without pterostigmata, in females green or brown. Species are often quite variable in color and patterning, and they are sexually dimorphic. Color intensity may fade with age. They perch horizontally on twigs near the water's edge. The nymphs have a flattened, pentagonal-shaped head, a long first antennal segment and long legs. They are found among submerged aquatic plants, woody debris and the exposed roots of streamside plants. There is a single generation per year. ==Behavior==

'' mating: sperm removal The mating system of most species in this family is resource defense polygyny, where males are often territorial, guarding riverine habitat that is sought after by females for egg deposition. Some males are not territorial. Within a species there may be a territorial and nonterritorial morph, which may be different in coloration. During mating, the male first removes other males' sperm from the female's reproductive tract, then places his own sperm there. The intromittent organ of the male has spines that physically remove rival sperm and also stimulate the female's muscles to contract and expel the sperm. In many species, the male accompanies the female when she searches for a site to lay eggs; in some cases, he even remains attached to her. Like all Odonata species, the species in this family are carnivorous in both their larval and adult stages. Larvae tend to feed on smaller invertebrates, such as mayflies. ==Classification==

Subfamiles and tribes according to Dijkstra et al. (2014) Subfamily Calopteryginae – the demoiselles: • Tribe Caliphaeini • Caliphaea • Tribe Calopterygini • Atrocalopteryx • Calopteryx • Matrona • Matronoides • Neurobasis • Tribe Iridictyonini • Iridictyon • Tribe Mnaisini • Archineura • Echo • Mnais • Psolodesmus • Tribe Noguchiphaeini • Noguchiphaea • Tribe Saphoini • Phaon • Sapho • Umma • Tribe Vestalini • Vestalaria • Vestalis Subfamily Hetaerininae – the rubyspots and others: • Bryoplathanon • Hetaerina • Mnesarete • Ormenophlebia ==References==