Welcome to Odonata Central
This citizen science web site site is focused on expanding our understanding of the distribution, biogeography, biodiversity, and identification of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in the Western Hemisphere. We encourage you to contribute your observations and explore the observations of others in maps, lists of records and species lists.
Add Observations Browse Observations Add Photos
Summer 2023 Odolympics 19-27 August: Results.
The Summer 2023 Odolympics was a success for Odonata Central! We have received 2008 records of 157 species, including 10 new species not recorded on previous Odolympics.
Since its inception, participants in the Odolympics have added 12,723 records of 377 species to the Odonata Central database! Thanks to everyone who participated!
Click below for more details about the Odolympics.
DetailsThe Odonata Central Website
Odonata Central is place where you can keep track of all your observations, photos and specimens and manage all your personal lists, all while contributing to citizen science. There is an extensive database of odonate observations you can explore. There are many map types and many ways to view and filter data. Explore species lists for any location with early and late flight dates. Download any data set to a spreadsheet for further analysis. iNaturalist sightings are now included on maps and you can import observations directly from iNaturalist.
Help resources include the FAQ, a step-by-step User Guide and Video Tutorials.
Donate!
Love the new Odonata Central? Please consider supporting the further development of Odonata Central with a tax-deductible donation to Birds in the Hand Software so that we can keep adding new features.
Phone App
The Odonata Central phone app allows you to easily enter complete checklists into Odonata Central from your phone. Available for both IOS and Android and supporting English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Search for it in either the Apple or Google Store.
Use the Add Photos button on the website to easily add photos to checklists created in the field with the app.
Watch a 10 minute instructional video: Introduction to the Odonata Central Phone App
Odonata Central is Now Multilingual!
Due to the power of Google Translate, Odonata Central can now be viewed in 108 languages. Select "Translate" from the top menu to select your language of choice.
Dragonfly ID app for IOS and Android
Dragonfly ID features bar charts built from the OdonataCentral database of sightings, recent sightings submitted to OdonataCentral displayed on maps, crowd-sourced text, images and more. Status and distribution information for odonates in North America.
Download from the Apple App store or Google Play store. Learn more here.
(Note that this app allows you to view data from Odonata Central but does not yet allow you to enter observations into Odonata Central.)
Dragonfly Society of the Americas
The Dragonfly Society of the Americas (DSA) advances the discovery, conservation and knowledge of Odonata through observation, collection, research, publication and education.
DSA website