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What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly
Damselflies also belong to the group Odonata, and
can easily be mistaken for dragonflies unless you know
what to look for. Both dragonflies and damselflies have
four wings, but a dragonfly’s hind wings are usually
shorter and broader than its front wings. A damselfly’s
wings are equal in size and shape. Dragonflies are
usually larger than damselflies, and when a dragonfly
is at rest, it holds its wings out from its body, whereas a
damselfly folds its wings along the length of its body.
Although both are often found near water, dragonflies
venture further afield.
Why do dragonflies have big eyes
Like many insects, a dragonfly’s eyes take up most of its
head, giving it a 360-degree field of vision. Each
human eye has just one lens, but a dragonfly has many
thousands of lenses in each eye (called compound
eyes). This means it can see in front, above, below and
behind – perfect for detecting the slightest movement,
whether to catch prey or escape from danger.
A dragonfly has 360-degree all-round vision.
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A damselfly folds its wings along the length of its body
(left), whereas a dragonfly’s are held away.
Why do dragonflies live by water
Dragonflies are often seen near water because this is
where the female lays her eggs. When the eggs hatch,
the larvae (called nymphs) live beneath the water,
breathing through gills and feeding on tadpoles and
small fish. Dragonflies stay in this laval state for up to
five years. When they are ready to become adults,
they climb up a reed or piece of plant matter, where
their old laval skin splits overnight and a beautiful
dragonfly emerges in the warmth of the morning sun.
Is a dragonfly a type of fly
While it’s true that both dragonflies and flies are
insects, flies have just two wings, whereas dragonfiles
have four. So, a dragonfly is not a type of fly. As a
general rule, most insects have four wings; flies are
the exception.