Damselflies

• Phylulm Arthropoda (Jointed Legs)
• Class Insecta (Six Legs)
• Order Odonata

Other Names

• Adults are sometimes called dragonflies

Nymph Appearance Brown body Narrow abdomen Three large "paddle-like" gills extending out like a tail Legs end in two claws Lower, grasping lip can rapidly extend outward

Nymph Behavior

• Predatory
• Wriggles side-to-side when swimming
• Tails may wag like a dog in order to help with breathing

Adult Appearance Adult damselflies look like small, delicate dragonflies Long slender body Two sets of large clear wings fold upright when at rest Both wings are of equal size Wings are up to 5 cm long Bodies are electric or metallic bright blue or green or red

Adult Behavior

• Eat other flying insects
• Capture insect prey with a "cage" formed by their dangling legs
• Not a strong flier like dragonflies

Aquatic Habitat

• Slow and still water

Reproduction

• Incomplete metamorphosis includes egg, nymph and adult stages
• Eggs are inserted into the stems of aquatic plants
• Mate in flight
• Mating pairs are often seen flying with the male on top holding the female by the neck
• The tip of the female's abdomen curls up to remove a sperm pack from the male

Nymph Feeding Type

• Carnivorous
• Predatory on such things as mosquito larva and mayfly nymphs
• Voracious!!

Nymph Pollution Tolerance

• Moderately pollution tolerant
• Large numbers may indicate fair water quality