''Ischnura'' is a genus of

damselflies Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies (which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Epiprocta) but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the win ...

known as forktails (or sometimes bluetails) in the family

Coenagrionidae Coenagrionidae is a family of damselflies, also known as pond damselflies, in the order Odonata and the suborder Zygoptera. The Zygoptera are the damselflies, which although less known than the dragonflies, are no less common. More than 1,300 spec ...

. Forktails are distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection at the tip of the abdomen which gives the group their common name.

Characteristics

Forktails are small or very small damselflies. The compound eyes of mature individuals have a dark upper region and contrasting lower part. The thorax is often green and may have lateral stripes and the abdomen in males is black with a blue tip. Females of some species are polymorphic, some being orangish and darkening with age, while others resemble the male.

Species

The genus ''Ischnura'' includes the following species:

References

{{Authority control Zygoptera genera Odonata of Oceania Odonata of Asia Odonata of Africa Odonata of Australia Odonata of New Zealand Odonata of North America Odonata of South America Odonata of Europe Taxa named by Toussaint de Charpentier Damselflies Taxonomy articles created by Polbot