Nomenclatural Confusion in the Odonata; the Agrion-Calopteryx Problems1

Abstract

Tillyard (192G, p. 80, footnote) discussed the proper names for the groups (genus, family, etc.) of dragonflies based, eventually, upon Libellula virgo Linnaeus and L. puella L.: “It is unfortunate that the fine classical name Calopteryx, which was in general use unchallenged for three-quarters of a century has to be discarded by the Law of Priority, the type of the Linnean genus Agrion being the insect which had been known for all that time as Calopteryx virgo L. The new name required for the genus whose type had been known as Agrion puella L., was supplied by Kirby, viz.: Coenagrion, who also changed the family to Coenagrionidae, by analogy with the old form Agrionidae. The name Agrion, however, is derived from Greek agrias, wild, neuter Agrion, a wild thing, stem agri -, and hence the correct family names are Agriidae, Coenagriidae, Megapodagriidae, and the superfamily names Agrioidea and Coenagrioidea.”