''Calopteryx'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of large

damselflies Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along ...

belonging to the family

Calopterygidae The Calopterygidae are a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera. They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies, demoiselles, or jewelwings. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm (compared to about 44 ...

. The colourful males often have coloured wings whereas the more muted females usually have clear wings although some develop male ( androchrome) wing characteristics. In both

sexes Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones (ova, oft ...

, there is no

pterostigma The pterostigma (plural: pterostigmata) is a group of specialized cells in the outer insect wing, wings of insects, which are often thickened or coloured, and thus stand out from other cells. It is particularly noticeable in dragonfly, dragonfli ...

Nomenclature

It was only in 1890, many years after Leach named the genus ''Calopyteryx'', that it was widely recognized that Leach's name was a junior synonym of the Fabrician genus ''Agrion'', established 40 years prior. The controversy surrounding which genus name has nomenclatural priority has never been formally resolved; the

ICZN The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a widely accepted convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals. It is also informally known as the ICZN Code, for its publisher, the I ...

mandates that Fabricius' name has priority, but the majority of the world's

odonate Odonata is an order of flying insects that includes the dragonflies and damselflies. Members of the group first appeared during the Triassic, though members of their total group, Odonatoptera, first appeared in Late Carboniferous. The two common ...

researchers maintain the use of ''Calopteryx''.

Species

The genus contains the following species: *'' Calopteryx aequabilis'' – River Jewelwing *'' Calopteryx amata'' – Superb Jewelwing *''

Calopteryx angustipennis ''Calopteryx angustipennis'' is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae known commonly as the Appalachian jewelwing. It is endemic to the United States, where it occurs in the southeastern and eastern states. Description The Appala ...

'' – Appalachian Jewelwing *''Calopteryx balcanica'' *''Calopteryx coomani'' *'' Calopteryx cornelia'' *'' Calopteryx dimidiata'' – Sparkling Jewelwing *'' Calopteryx exul'' – Glittering Demoiselle *'' Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis'' – Copper Demoiselle *'' Calopteryx hyalina'' – Clear-winged Demoiselle *'' Calopteryx intermedia'' *'' Calopteryx japonica'' *'' Calopteryx laosica'' *'' Calopteryx maculata'' – Ebony Jewelwing *'' Calopteryx melli'' *''Calopteryx mingrelica'' *''Calopteryx oberthuri'' *'' Calopteryx orientalis'' *'' Calopteryx samarcandica'' *''

Calopteryx splendens The banded demoiselle (''Calopteryx splendens'') is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along slow-flowing streams and rivers. It is a Eurasian species occurring from the Atlantic coast eastwards to L ...

'' – Banded Demoiselle, Banded Agrion, Banded Jewelwing *'' Calopteryx syriaca'' – Syrian Demoiselle *'' Calopteryx taurica'' *'' Calopteryx transcaspica'' *''

Calopteryx virgo The beautiful demoiselle (''Calopteryx virgo'') is a European damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along fast-flowing waters where it is most at home. Subspecies Subspecies include: *''Calopteryx virgo britannica'' ...

'' – Beautiful Demoiselle, Beautiful Jewelwing *''Calopteryx waterstoni'' *'' Calopteryx xanthostoma'' – Western Demoiselle

References

Calopterygidae Zygoptera genera Taxa named by William Elford Leach Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Calopterygoidea-stub