DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
CLASSIFICATION
INTRODUCTION
Dragonflies(sub order-Anisoptera) and Damselflies(sub order-zygoptera)are often bright coloured flying insects that can be easily identified.
MORPHOLOGY
They are medium to large in size with 15-120mm body length. Dragonflies and Damselflies are similar in shape but Dragonflies are much heavier bodied and stronger flying insects than Damselflies. Damselflies are slender bodied and flying more weakly.
Both have follwing features.
•Long,slender body
•large compound eyes
•3 oceli
•very small antenna
•mandibulate mouthparts
•2 pairs of membranous wings
•complex wing veniation
Dragonflies and Damselflies are similar in shape. But they can be easily recognized by observing their wings.
In Dragonflies their hind wings and fore wings are different in size ,hind wings are slightly broader than forewings. And also they fold their wings ,horizontally and slightly down when stationary. But Damselflies hold their wings vertically.
Eyes of the Dragonflies are huge,bulging and in touch or closely. But in Damselflies eyes are seperated. Their mouthparts are adapted for biting with a toothed jaw. Prothorax is small and flattened dorsally. Legs are mostly used for catching and holding prey and standing on the holder.
COLOURATION
Both adults have brilliant colouration in the body and also in wings .The overall colouration is mostly a combination of red,yellow,black,brown pigments with structural colours.
HABITAT
Dragonflies and Damselflies are usually found around the various habitats. It depends on the species. Most species prefer aquatic habitats like ponds,streams,lakes and wetlands because their eggs and larvae are aquatic and resist from drought. Adults mostly perch on aquatic,waterside plants and floating plants.
DIET
Both adults and nymphs are carnivorous. They normally eat mosquitoes,midges and other small insects like flies,bees,and small butterflies. Their large eyes help them to capture prey.
LIFE CYCLE
They are undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Mating usually takes place in the wing and male will guard the female until the deposition her eggs. After two weeks of
Depositing ,eggs hatch and immature dragonflies emerge. They also called nymphs. The nymphs spend almost their entire life under the water. They have internal gills to breathe. Development and duration of the nymph stage depends on the species and where they live.
CLASSIFICATION
- Kingdom-Animalia
- Phylum- Arthropoda
- Class-Insecta
- Order-Odonata
INTRODUCTION
Dragonflies(sub order-Anisoptera) and Damselflies(sub order-zygoptera)are often bright coloured flying insects that can be easily identified.
MORPHOLOGY
They are medium to large in size with 15-120mm body length. Dragonflies and Damselflies are similar in shape but Dragonflies are much heavier bodied and stronger flying insects than Damselflies. Damselflies are slender bodied and flying more weakly.
Both have follwing features.
•Long,slender body
•large compound eyes
•3 oceli
•very small antenna
•mandibulate mouthparts
•2 pairs of membranous wings
•complex wing veniation
Dragonflies and Damselflies are similar in shape. But they can be easily recognized by observing their wings.
In Dragonflies their hind wings and fore wings are different in size ,hind wings are slightly broader than forewings. And also they fold their wings ,horizontally and slightly down when stationary. But Damselflies hold their wings vertically.
Eyes of the Dragonflies are huge,bulging and in touch or closely. But in Damselflies eyes are seperated. Their mouthparts are adapted for biting with a toothed jaw. Prothorax is small and flattened dorsally. Legs are mostly used for catching and holding prey and standing on the holder.
 |
| Damselfly |
 |
| Dragonfly |
COLOURATION
Both adults have brilliant colouration in the body and also in wings .The overall colouration is mostly a combination of red,yellow,black,brown pigments with structural colours.
HABITAT
Dragonflies and Damselflies are usually found around the various habitats. It depends on the species. Most species prefer aquatic habitats like ponds,streams,lakes and wetlands because their eggs and larvae are aquatic and resist from drought. Adults mostly perch on aquatic,waterside plants and floating plants.
DIET
Both adults and nymphs are carnivorous. They normally eat mosquitoes,midges and other small insects like flies,bees,and small butterflies. Their large eyes help them to capture prey.
LIFE CYCLE
They are undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Mating usually takes place in the wing and male will guard the female until the deposition her eggs. After two weeks of
Depositing ,eggs hatch and immature dragonflies emerge. They also called nymphs. The nymphs spend almost their entire life under the water. They have internal gills to breathe. Development and duration of the nymph stage depends on the species and where they live.
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