Damsels in distress: A review of the conservation status of Hawaiian Megalagrion damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

1. The damselfly genus Megalagrion as presently interpreted contains 23 species and 5 sub‐species, all confined to the Hawaiian Islands. Based on current surveys, 23 of these 28 taxa are still extant, although two lowland species, M. xanthomelas and M. pactficum , appear to be extirpated from certain islands that formerly constituted portions of their original ranges. 2. Of the five taxa not yet rediscovered, three ( M. williamsoni, M. amaurodytum fallax and M. amaurodytum waianaeanum ) are of questionable taxonomic validity, and the remaining two ( M. jugorum and M. molokaiense ) are rare and ecologically specialized species that do not occur near the typical aquatic damselfly habitats most frequently surveyed by collectors. 3. The current major threats to Megalagrion species are competition and predation from introduced fish, frog and invertebrate species, and physical destruction of habitats, particularly on the island of Oahu.