According to the MN DNR, dragonflies and their close relatives called damselflies are ancient insects and prehistoric reminders of the age of the dinosaurs. Enormous dragonflies with a wingspread up to 30 inches across were part of the Paleozoic landscape about 300 million years ago. There are an estimated 5,500 to 6,500 dragonfly and damselfly species in the world. In Minnesota there are about 140 total species.
Dragonflies belong to the class Insecta and the Order Odonata. Odonata includes both dragonflies and damselflies.
The Minnesota Dragonfly Society‘s purpose is to ensure the conservation of Minnesota’s dragonflies and damselflies through research and education.
Another local site to learn about dragonfly information and help with identification is the Minnesota Dragonfly Info site.