| Photo Information |
Copyright: Enio Branco (Brutamonte)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 14 W: 0 N: 63]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (769) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-11-14 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Sony W50 |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-11-20 19:10 |
| Viewed: 494 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Portuguese] |
Damselfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
Isosticidae - Narrow-wings
Lestidae - Spreadwings
Lestoididae
Megapodagrionidae - Flatwings
Perilestidae - Shortwings
Platycnemididae - White-legged Damselflies
Platystictidae - Forest Damselflies
Polythoridae - Bannerwings
Protoneuridae - Pinflies
Pseudostigmatidae - Forest Giants
Synlestidae - Sylphs
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 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.
Biology
Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with an aquatic nymphal 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 simply plucking the spider from its perch. |
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