Damselflies and dragonflies are fascinating insects that capture the attention of both amateurs and professionals alike due to their size, color, and unique behaviors. Belonging to the order Odonata, these creatures are not only visually stunning but also essential predators in their respective ecosystems.
Though similar in appearance, damselflies and dragonflies have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Damselflies, for instance, are smaller in size (1-2 inches) and have a more delicate structure compared to dragonflies. At rest, damselflies hold their wings together above their body, while dragonflies typically spread their wings out horizontally. Both insects are carnivorous, feeding on mosquitoes, midges, and other small insects.
As aquatic insects, both damselflies and dragonflies spend most of their early life stages in water. They undergo a simple life cycle consisting of egg, nymph, and adult stages, with eggs laid on or near water and nymphs called naiads living underwater. Dragonfly nymphs can be differentiated from damselfly nymphs by the presence of gills located inside their rectum, whereas damselfly nymphs have their gills extending from their hind end like three leaf-like tails.
Damselfly Vs Dragonfly: Basic Differences
Damselflies and dragonflies are both aquatic insects. Let’s explore their basic differences in terms of appearance, behavior, and habitat.
- Appearance:
- Coloration:
- Damselflies come in various colors, like the Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly, which can range from blue to gray-black.
- Dragonflies are also colorful, often with bold and striking patterns2.
Damselfly | Dragonfly | |
---|---|---|
Size | Smaller, slender | Larger, robust |
Wings | Held together above the body | Held perpendicular to the body |
Colors | Various colors | Bold and striking patterns |
- Behavior:
- Habitat:
Pros and cons of damselflies and dragonflies in the ecosystem:
- Pros:
- They help control mosquito and other pest populations.
- They serve as indicators of water quality in their habitat.
- Cons:
- They can become a nuisance in high numbers.
- Sensitive to habitat disturbances, which can affect their survival.
We hope this brief overview of the basic differences between damselflies and dragonflies has been helpful.
Classification and Taxonomy
The order Odonata consists of two main suborders: the Zygoptera (damselflies) and the Anisoptera (dragonflies). These insects have captured the attention of both amateurs and professionals due to their vibrant colors and interesting behaviors. The order Odonata is part of a larger group called Epiprocta (source).
Taxonomists divide the Odonata order into these suborders based on various morphological and behavioral characteristics. Damselflies belong to the Zygoptera suborder, while dragonflies are classified under the Anisoptera suborder.
Here are some distinguishing features of damselflies and dragonflies in bullet points:
Damselflies (Zygoptera):
- Slender body
- Wings held above body when at rest
- Weaker and slower flight pattern
Dragonflies (Anisoptera):
- Robust body
- Wings held open horizontally when at rest
- Stronger and faster flight pattern
In the following comparison table, you can see some differences between damselflies and dragonflies:
Feature | Damselfly (Zygoptera) | Dragonfly (Anisoptera) |
---|---|---|
Body shape | Slender | Robust |
Wing position | Above body when at rest | Open horizontally when at rest |
Flight | Weaker, slower | Stronger, faster |
Eyes | Large, but separated | Large, nearly touching or connected |
Each suborder of the Odonata order has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of ecological adaptations and survival strategies. For example, damselflies are effective at hunting smaller insects, while dragonflies can target larger prey. However, damselflies may be more susceptible to predators due to their slower flight speed, while dragonflies can escape more easily thanks to their faster and more agile flight (source).
Flight and Predatory Behavior
Dragonflies and damselflies exhibit distinct differences in their flight and predatory behavior. Here’s a brief comparison of their flight characteristics and hunting strategies:
Flight:
- Dragonflies: more agile with larger hind wings
- Damselflies: more delicate and fluttery due to equal-sized wings
Dragonflies tend to be faster in flight, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph, while damselflies typically fly at slower speeds.
Predatory Behavior:
- Dragonflies: catch prey mid-flight, impressive hunters
- Damselflies: ambush predators, striking from a perch
Both dragonflies and damselflies are important predators of mosquitoes and other biting insects, benefiting humans by reducing their population.
Flight | Hind Wings | Predatory Behavior | |
---|---|---|---|
Dragonflies | Agile, faster | Larger | Catch prey mid-flight |
Damselflies | Delicate, slower | Equal-sized | Ambush predators |
Some examples of their predatory behavior include:
- Dragonflies: catching mosquitoes by extending their legs like a basket to trap prey
- Damselflies: perching on plants near water to snatch insects that come close
In summary:
- Dragonflies and damselflies are both valuable flying insect predators.
- They differ in flight patterns and speed due to wing size.
- Their hunting strategies are unique, with dragonflies as aerial hunters and damselflies as ambush predators.
Physical Characteristics
Damselflies
- Damselflies have a slender body, making them appear delicate.
- Their eyes are usually separated and located on each side of the head.
- When at rest, their wings are usually held together above the body.
- Damselflies have narrow, membranous wings with a similar shape for both pairs.
- Larvae have a unique, leaf-like shape to their gills.
Dragonflies
- Dragonflies have a more robust, chunky body compared to damselflies.
- Their large eyes typically meet at the top of the head, giving them a distinctive appearance.
- When at rest, dragonflies hold their wings open, perpendicular to the body.
- They have broad, transparent wings with the front pair being slightly narrower than the hind pair.
- Larvae possess rounded, internal gills rather than the external, leaf-like gills of damselflies.
Both damselflies and dragonflies undergo metamorphosis in three stages: egg, larva, and adult. However, their specific physical characteristics differ, as shown in the comparison table below:
Feature | Damselfly | Dragonfly |
---|---|---|
Body shape | Slender, delicate | Robust, chunky |
Eye position | Separated, on each side of the head | Large, meeting at the top of the head |
Wings at rest | Held together above the body | Open, perpendicular to the body |
Wing shape | Narrow, membranous | Broad, transparent |
Larva gill structure | External, leaf-like | Internal, rounded |
Life Cycle and Natural Behavior
Both damselflies and dragonflies belong to the order Odonata. They play vital roles in ecosystems near lakes, streams, and rivers. Their life cycles consist of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Eggs: Female damselflies and dragonflies lay eggs on or near water. These eggs take about three to five weeks to hatch into nymphs, or naiads1.
Nymphs: Nymphs are aquatic creatures. Damselfly nymphs are slender with six thin legs, large eyes, and leaf-like gills at the tip of their abdomens5. In contrast, dragonfly nymphs have more robust bodies and their gills are hidden within the abdomen2.
Adults: Both damselflies and dragonflies have two pairs of membranous wings with elaborate veins. Damselfly wings are about the same size and shape, while dragonfly wings are unequal4. Adults can be observed flying near water sources during the summer months.
Here is a comparison table for their main features:
Feature | Damselfly | Dragonfly |
---|---|---|
Wings | Same size & shape | Unequal |
Eyes | Large, not touching | Large, touching |
Resting position | Wings held together over body | Wings held out to the sides |
Body | Slender and delicate | Robust |
Nymphs | Leaf-like gills at abdomen tips | Hidden gills in abdomen |
The resting position of their wings is another easy way to differentiate damselflies and dragonflies. Damselflies hold their wings together above their bodies, while dragonflies hold their wings out to the sides3.
Some interesting behaviors of Odonata species include:
- Hovering in midair for brief periods
- Capturing prey on the wing
- Mating in midair, forming a heart-shaped position
By understanding their life cycle and natural behavior, it’s easier to observe and appreciate these fascinating creatures in their natural habitats.
Similarities Between Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order Odonata. Both of these insects share some key features and characteristics:
- Aquatic larvae: Dragonfly larvae and damselfly larvae are aquatic, living in ponds and other water bodies.
- Predatory nature: Both species are carnivorous, feeding on small insects and other aquatic creatures.
- Highly developed eyes: These insects have sophisticated eyes, with over 20,000 to 30,000 individual lenses per head.
- Winged adults: Adult dragonflies and damselflies have two pairs of wings with an ancient pattern of veins.
Here’s a comparison table to highlight some of their shared features:
Feature | Dragonflies | Damselflies |
---|---|---|
Aquatic Larvae | Yes | Yes |
Predatory Nature | Yes | Yes |
Highly Developed Eyes | Yes | Yes |
Winged Adults | Yes | Yes |
In their life cycle, both dragonflies and damselflies go through similar stages. They hatch from tiny eggs laid by their mothers during the previous summer or spring. The pond-bound larval stage can last several months to years, followed by a relatively short adult phase of about one month.
In summary, dragonflies and damselflies have several common features due to their shared classification in the Odonata order, such as their aquatic larvae, predatory nature, highly developed eyes, and winged adult forms.
Footnotes
- Damselflies, Dragonflies and Earwigs – University of Maryland Extension ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
- dragonflies and damselflies, Odonata – Entomology and Nematology Department ↩ ↩2
- Dragonflies and Damselflies | Princeton University Press ↩ ↩2
- Dragonflies and Damselflies | Horticulture and Home Pest News ↩ ↩2
- Damselfly Larvae ↩
3 Comments. Leave new
Hi Daniel,
I think the smaller one is also a damselfly naiad, but with one gill missing. Maybe a predator bit off the third gill? I seem to remember years ago having seen other ones that were missing a part like this.
best to you,
Susan
These larvae are [or, once again, perhasp “were”] among the edible insects harvested from freshwater in Japan, various parts of South America, and elsewhere.
Once, in a rather antiquated volume on insects, I read that ‘all aquatic insects can be eaten.’ I’m not so sure of this, but it might be true. I haven’t read about any particularly toxic aquatic species.
Dave
http://www.smallstockfoods.com
This is definitely a damselfly naiad on the top and a dragonfly naiad on the bottom. While similar they have distinct gills and size differences.