Dragonflies and Damselflies

Butterflies aren’t the only colorful insects in flight in the BioWorks gardens. Dragonflies and damselflies of every size and color fill the air as well, helping to keep mosquito populations in check. Both dragonflies and damselflies are members of the order Odonata, and there are literally hundreds of different species of these insects in Florida alone.

What’s the Difference?
Dragonflies and damselflies are very similar at first glance, but there are a few ways to tell them apart. The easiest is to look at how the wings are held when at rest. Dragonflies rest with wings held out from their bodies, while damselflies fold their wings together over their backs. If you’re up close, you can also see that dragonfly eyes touch, while damselfly eyes are separated. Damselflies are generally smaller than dragonflies, though this of course varies by species. The pictures to the right show a damselfly on top and a dragonfly on the bottom.

Life Cycle:
Like butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies begin life as an egg, but these eggs are laid in water. When the egg hatches, the creature that emerges is known as a “nymph” (shown at left). Like a caterpillar, a nymph spends its time eating and growing, molting (shedding skin) several times as it grows larger. Unlike caterpillars, though, dragonflies and damselflies do not enter a pupa stage. Instead, they progress directly from nymph to full-grown adult in the final molt. This type of metamorphosis is called “Hemimetabolous” or incomplete metamorphosis. Click here to see amazing video of a dragonfly making the final molt from nymph to adult.

As adults, dragonflies and damselflies are incredibly strong fliers. Unlike butterflies, they are able to move their wing pairs separately, allowing for amazing control in flight. They also fly at very fast speeds, with some species nearing a top speed of 40 miles per hour, making them the fastest insects on earth.

Like many insects, dragonflies and damselflies live only a few weeks as adults, and they spend their time eating and mating. Mating is a very complicated process, with mating dances, courtship rituals, and some interesting acts of contortionism. (Click to learn more about mating rituals and the process.) Ultimately, the insects end up in what is called a “mating wheel”, often resembling the shape of a heart.

Nymph Photo Credit: L. Shyamal via Wikipedia
Mating Damselflies Photo Credit: Karrackoo via Wikipedia