damselfly

Damselflies
Female 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 Diphlebiidae – Azure Damselflies Euphaeidae – Gossamerwings Hemiphlebiidae – 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

Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are insects in the order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be distinguished 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. Damselflies are also usually smaller than dragonflies and weaker fliers in comparison, and their eyes are separated.

Etymology

Zygoptera comes from the Greek zygo meaning joined or paired and ptera meaning wings. They have two pairs of similar wings, unlike the dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera), whose hind wings are broader than their forewings. Damselflies also can fold their wings up over their backs, and dragonflies cannot.

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, using extendable jaws similar to those of the dragonfly nymph. 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.

External links

• Media related to Zygoptera at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Zygoptera at Wikispecies
• dragonflies and damselflies on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site