Damselflies
Blue Ringtail, Austrolestes annulosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Odonata Suborder: Zygoptera Selys, 1854
Families
Amphipterygidae Calopterygidae - Demoiselles Chlorocyphidae - Jewels Coenagrionidae - Pond Damselflies Dicteriadidae - Barelegs Euphaeidae - Gossamerwings Hemiphlebidae - Reedlings Isosticidae - Narrow-wings Lestidae - Spreadwings Lestoididae Megapodagrionidae - Flatwings Perilestidae - Shortwings Platycnemididae - White-legged Damselflies Platystictidae - Forest Damselflies Polythoridae - Bannerwings Protoneuridae - Pinflies Pseudostigmatidae - Forest Giants Synlestidae - Sylphs †Zacallitidae

The Damselfly (Suborder Zygoptera) is an insect in the Order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along the body when at rest. Furthermore, the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body. Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their eyes are separated.

Biology

Head of a damselfly

Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with an aquatic nymphal stage. The female lays eggs in water, sometimes in underwater vegetation, or high in trees in bromeliads and other water-filled cavities. Nymphs are carnivorous, feeding on daphnia, mosquito larvae, and various other small aquatic organisms. The gills of damselfly nymphs are large and external, resembling three fins at the end of the abdomen. After moulting several times, the winged adult emerges and eats flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Some of the larger tropical species are known to feed on spiders, hovering near the web and simply plucking the spider from its perch.

Gallery

Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas

Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo

Blue Ringtail Austrolestes annulosus

Black Torrent Dart

Coromandel Marsh Dart Ceriagrion coromandelianum

Female Ebony Jewelwing Calopteryx maculata

Common blue damselfly eating a leafhopper

American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana

Ischnura senegalensis

Unidentified damselfly in Victoria, Australia

Mating Damselflies

See also

• Pelecinus a genus of wasp with a similar build to a damselfly.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Zygoptera

Wikispecies has information related to:

Zygoptera

• American Rubyspot Damselfly Hetaerina americana diagnostic photos and information
• Familiar Bluet Damselfly Enallagma civile
• Emerald Spreadwing Damselfly Lestes dryas
• Stream Bluet Damselfly Enallagma exsulans
• Northern Bluet Enallagma cyathigerum
• Blue-Tailed Damsel, Asian specie.
• Stereoscopic 3d cross eye view, Damsel fly.