Wildlife
Damselflies and dragonflies are among the most beautiful and spectacular insects. They are also among the most ancient of creatures and, millions of years ago, included some of the largest flying invertebrates ever. Odonates are carnivorous in both nymph and adult forms, with a large appetite for smaller insects. Their lives are closely tied to fresh water as the nymphs are at least semi-aquatic. Dragonflies can be distinguished from damselflies by larger eyes, that usually touch, different shaped fore- and hindwings which they hold horizontally when at rest and by their more powerful flight. Damselflies have similar shaped wings which they hold close to the body when resting.
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Winging it
Wings hold the key to success in the brief adult life of the damselfly.
A damselfly's adult life is so short that a newly mature female must mate and lay her eggs in the same day that she becomes an adult. Not only will her wings help her to secure a mate, but they will also be crucial when it comes to laying her eggs… underwater.
Damsels and dragons
Dragonflies and damselflies are one of the most ancient life forms on land.
Dragonflies and damselflies are one of the most ancient life forms on land.
Hungry plants
A carpet of sundews are a hazard for the insect life of the bog.
A carpet of sundews are a hazard for the insect life of the bog.
Dragonfly geek
Chris Packham uncovers the mechanics of dragon and damselflies.
Chris meets fellow nature geek Rory Mackenzie to discover the mechanics of dragon and damselflies.
Damselflies
The slow-moving water of a river is home to these insects, but to breed they move into the fast lane.
The slow-moving water of a river is home to these insects, but to breed they move into the fast lane.
The following habitats are found across the Damselflies and dragonflies distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Learn more about the other animals and plants that also form these fossils.
AmberOdonata is an order of carnivorous insects, encompassing dragonflies (Anisoptera/Epiprocta) and damselflies (Zygoptera). The word dragonfly is also sometimes used to refer to all Odonata, but odonate is a more correct English name for the group as a whole. Odonata enthusiasts avoid ambiguity by using the term true dragonfly, or simply Anisopteran, when referring to just the Anisoptera. The term Warriorfly has also been proposed. Some 5,900 species have been described in this order.
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Carnivorous
Adapted to flying
Metamorphosis
Egg layer