Cordulegastridae

The Cordulegastridae is a family widely distributed in the temperate and cold regions of the world, but with a few representatives in some tropical mountainous areas, and completely absent from Oceania. Presently, only 3 genera containing 52 species are widely accepted in the family: Anotogaster (14 species), Cordulegaster (29 species), and Neallogaster (9 species). Anotogaster gregoryi is the only cordulegastrid recorded from Thailand and is known from only three northern provinces. Adult cordulegastrids inhabit small, montane, forest streams. The nymphs are found buried in soft beds of mud, silt, or sand with the tops of the eyes and antennae above the substrate to enable them to detect their prey. They are fierce predators, preying on aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fishes. Cordulegastridae together with Chlorogomphidae and Neopetaliidae constitute the superfamily Cordulegastroidea, with Cordulegastridae and Neopetaliidae being sister groups.