The Darner family (Aeshnidae) are characterized by bold striping patterns on the abdomen. Males typically have blue stripes while females feature yellow and green. However, the color is less important than the presence of a single segment near the thorax and wings, which will be much more narrow than the rest of the body, like an hourglass.
The Spiketail family (Cordulegastridae) are less common in North America and are distinguished by yellow, bee-like stripes on a long black or brown body. The stripes are also present on the large thorax, and the species is characterized by its short legs and large, transparent black wings.
The Clubtail family (Gomphidae) is identified just as the name suggests, by a bulb on the end of the abdomen that is larger than the rest of the segments, giving this dragonfly species the appearance of a club on its tail. The eyes are also important features, being large and spread apart to rest on either side of the head.
The Petaltail family (Petaluridae) contains some of the oldest dragonfly species on the planet. The body is long, black and spotted in contrast to a pale gray or white face. Petaltails are generally large, and the largest dragonfly species in the world is a Petaltail that lives in Australia.
One superfamily of dragonflies is known as the Skimmers (Libellulidae), and they primarily inhabit water-based areas. The name comes from their habit of skimming along the surface of rivers and ponds. The body types of Skimmers are extremely varied, even within a species, and tend to mimic the varieties already described.