damselfly

Damselflies
Male Common bluetail damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta)
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 Isostictidae - Narrow-wings Lestidae - Spreadwings Lestoideidae 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, and parallel to, 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.

Etymology

Zygoptera comes from the Greek zygo meaning joined and ptera meaning wings.

Biology

Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with an aquatic nymph 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 plucking the spider from its nest.

Saffron-faced Blue Dart Pseudagrion rubriceps

Damselfly, Kolkata, India

Head of a damselfly, Kolkata, India

Head of a damselfly

Common blue damselfly eating a leafhopper

External links

• 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 species.
• Damselfly, Amberly, Wests Sussex, UK
• dragonflies and damselflies on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site

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