Photo by Pam Rendall-Bass |
Dragonflies and Damselflies A dragonfly is an insect that has huge compound eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated, sometimes iridescent body. Dragonflies possess six legs, but they are not capable of walking. They use their legs to hold prey. Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but dragonflies hold their wings away from and perpendicular to the body when at rest. Both dragonflies and damselflies are predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, and butterflies. They have freely movable heads and sharp mouthparts to chew up insects. Dragonflies live around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, called nymphs, are aquatic. Adults can fly in six directions: upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side. That is because unlike other insects, they can move their wings independently. Dragonflies also fly very quickly compared to other insects. Adults live five or six months. Dragonflies and damselflies, both belonging to the order Odonata, exhibit several distinct differences that help in their identification. Dragonflies are generally larger and have a bulkier body, whereas damselflies appear more slender and delicate. When resting, dragonflies hold their wings out to the sides, while damselflies typically fold theirs together above their bodies. Their eyes also differ significantly; dragonflies possess large, nearly touching compound eyes, whereas damselflies have smaller, spaced-apart eyes. Additionally, dragonflies are known for their strong, agile flight, capable of quick maneuvers, while damselflies have a more gentle, fluttering flight style. These characteristics not only distinguish them visually but also reflect their different behaviors and habitats. |
Halloween Pennant Dragonfly by Brenda Kay Edwards
Eastern Forktail by Laurie Sheppard
Fragile Forktale by Laurie Sheppard Thank you, Laurie Sheppard, for the photos below. Click on each thumbnail to enlarge. |
Banded Pennant | Black Saddlebags | Blue Dasher Male | Blue Dasher Female |
Checkered Setwing Male | Checkered Setwing Female | Common Whitetail Male | Common Whitetail Female |
Eastern Amberwing In Flight | Eastern Amberwing Female | Eastern Pondhawk Male | Eastern Pondhawk Female |
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Familiar Bluet | Flag-tailed Spiny Leg | Four-Spotted Pennant | Halloween Pennant |
Red Saddlebags Female | Roseate Skimmer Immature | Roseate Skimmer | Slaty Skimmer |
Variegated Meadohawk Female | Widow Skimmer Female | Widow Skimmer | Widow Skimmer Female top view |
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6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX 75092
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