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English vs Latin Names
 As
you learn more about dragonflies, you will notice that they have two names, a "common
name" and a scientific name. It seems easier to use the common terminology but you
may soon see the need for the "Latin" terms (actually, a lot of them are Greek!).
The scientific names are the language of the entomologist, many of whom will
just look blank if you mention a Blue Dasher, but can tell you a lot about
Pachydiplax longipennis. Most of the handbooks and many of the scientific
journals only use the Latin, although many odonatologists have made the effort to
learn the common names to be able to speak to us "ordinary people".
Meet them half way, learn a few Latin names, it isn't that hard. And it will
help you communicate when you meet others in the field, travel the internet or conduct
research.
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