|  This is probably the oldest living dragonfly family. Fossil records of petaltails go back to the Jurassic period 150 million years ago. This family includes the largest species of dragonfly, the giant Petaltail (Petalura ingentissima). The giant petaltail is found in Australia and has a wingspan of six inches. There are two species in this family found in the United States, the gray petaltail (Tachopteryx  thoreyi) and the black petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni). The gray petaltail is found in the eastern United States and the black petaltail is found in the western United States.   World Status Key
  Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct  Not Enough Data Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.
 
                
                  | U.S. Status Key 
  Threatened in US  Endangered in US  Introduced Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.
 |  | New Hampshire Status Key 
  Threatened in NH  Endangered in NH  Breeds in NH Status taken from NH Fish and Game
 |  Location Key
  Africa  Asia  Australia/Oceania  Europe  North America  South America  NH  Click for More Info  Click for Image 
                  
                    |   New Hampshire Species  |  |   North American Species  |  
                    | None 
 |  | Black Petaltail - Tanypteryx  hageni    Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi
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                    |  Selected Species Around the World  |  
                    | 
  Africa  Asia  Australia/Oceania  Europe  North America  South America  NH 
 
 |  
                    | Giant Petaltail - Petalura ingentissima  Coastal Petaltail - Petalura litorea
      Beautiful Petaltail - Petalura pulcherrima
    Chilean Petaltail - Phenes raptor
    
 
 |  | Tanypteryx pryeri    Bush Giant Dragonfly - Uropetala carovei
      Mountain Giant Dragonfly - Uropetala chiltoni
    |  Additional Information Key:   Profile  Photos  Video  Audio  NH Species Black Petaltail - Tanypteryx  hageni      The black petaltail is found from southern British Columbia to central California
 Source:  Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High   School
 Coastal Petaltail - Petalura litorea       The coastal petaltail is found from southeastern Queensland to northeastern New South Wales in Australia.
 Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle    School  Teacher Section:Yes
 Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi         The gray petaltail is found from New York to northern Florida and west to  Texas.
 Source:  BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle   School
 Gray Petaltail - Tachopteryx thoreyi         The gray petaltail is 2-3 inches in length.
 Source:  Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High   School
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