Libelluloidea is the most species-rich superfamily of dragonflies, comprising 13 families.
The superfamily includes the skimmers, cruisers, emeralds and their relatives, and represents one of the most diverse evolutionary radiations within modern dragonflies.
Recent phylogenetic studies using morphological and molecular data have substantially revised the classification of the group, including the recognition and restoration of several families.
Taxonomic history The superfamily Libelluloidea was established by Leach in 1815.
Historically, the classification of libelluloid dragonflies has been unstable, particularly regarding the limits of Corduliidae, Synthemistidae and related families.
In 2025, a major phylogenetic revision using morphological and molecular data recognised three new families and restored six previously synonymised families within Libelluloidea.
Since 2013, the following family names have generally been treated as invalid, synonymised or disputed: Cordulephyidae Oxygastridae Hemicorduliidae Urothemistidae
Alternative phylogenetic names proposed for libelluloid dragonflies by Bechly included Anauriculida and Italoansida in 1996, and Eurypalpidomorpha in 2003.
Phylogeny Phylogenetic studies support Libelluloidea as a natural evolutionary group of dragonflies closely related to Cordulegastroidea.
Libelluloidea is generally recovered as the sister group to Cordulegastroidea.
Families The following families are currently placed in Libelluloidea:
Aeschnosomatidae Goodman, Abbott, Bybee, Ehlert, Frandsen, Guralnick, Kalkman, Newton, Pinto & Ware, 2025 Austrocorduliidae Bechly, 1996 Corduliidae Kirby, 1890 Gomphomacromiidae Tillyard & Fraser, 1940 Idionychidae Tillyard & Fraser, 1940 Idomacromiidae Tillyard & Fraser, 1940 Lauromacromiidae Goodman, Abbott, Bybee, Ehlert, Frandsen, Guralnick, Kalkman, Newton, Pinto & Ware, 2025 Libellulidae Leach, 1815 Macromidiidae Goodman, Abbott, Bybee, Ehlert, Frandsen, Guralnick, Kalkman, Newton, Pinto & Ware, 2025 Macromiidae Needham, 1903 Neophyidae Tillyard & Fraser, 1940 Pseudocorduliidae Lohmann, 1996 Synthemistidae Tillyard, 1911
Fossil record The superfamily includes numerous extinct fossil taxa known from the Cretaceous and later deposits, including:
†Austrolibellula Petrulevičius & Nel, 2003 †Araripelibellulidae Bechly, 1996 †Araripephlebiidae Bechly, 1998 †Bolcacorduliidae Gentilini, 2002 †Eocorduliidae Bechly, 1996 †Palaeomacromiidae Petrulevičius, Nel & Muzón, 1999 (=Bolcathemidae Gentilini, 2002) †Valdicorduliidae Bechly, 1996 †Urolibellulidae Zeiri, Nel & Garrouste, 2015
The oldest known member of Libelluloidea is Araripelibellula brittanica from the Berriasian of England.
Libelluloidea and Cordulegastroidea together form a major evolutionary lineage of dragonflies.
Etymology The superfamily name Libelluloidea is derived from the type genus Libellula and the zoological suffix -oidea, used for superfamilies.
The genus name Libellula is the diminutive form of the Latin libella ("small balance" or "level"), possibly referring to the horizontal position of the wings.
See also List of dragonflies of the world
References Ware, J., May, M., & Kjer, K. (2007). Phylogeny of the higher Libelluloidea (Anisoptera: Odonata): an exploration of the most speciose superfamily of dragonflies. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 45(1), 289–310.
Carle, F. L., Kjer, K. M., & May, M. L. (2008). Evolution of Odonata, with special reference to Coenagrionoidea (Zygoptera). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny, 66(1), 37–44.