The checklist below on the left lists the 159 Odonata species currently known to occur in South Africa. On the right are listed another 78 species recorded further north in southern Africa but not (yet) in South Africa.

In all, 11 families of Odonata are represented in the region, seven damselflies (Zygoptera) and four dragonflies (Anisoptera) and these are arranged in these lists in taxonomic order, damselflies first. Within each family the species are listed in alphabetic order, scientific name first, with feint lines dividing the genera and bolder lines dividing the families.

The species that have been photographed are highlighted, and to see the images of these, click on the species' name. The photographs are intended to supplement the illustrations and text to be found in our “Fieldguide to the dragonflies of South Africa” and “Fieldguide to the damselflies of South Africa”, and to our “Quick-guide to South African dragonflies”.

For trip reports click here

For PDF checklist of South African dragonflies click here