Identifying Dragonflies and Damselflies

 

Dragonflies and Damselflies are insects that belong to the order Odonata. Both of these amazing creatures have an almost similar appearance. Most people use the word “Dragonflies” to introduce both. But if you know the difference, you can tell which one is Dragonfly and which one is the Damselfly right away at one glance. 

Before you read further, take a look at these two pictures and find which one is Dragonfly and Damselfly. After reading check if it’s right.



First, take a look at their body.

Dragonflies have much chunkier and short bodies.


Damselflies have slim, long, twig-like bodies.



Then the wings. Both of them have two sets of wings.

Dragonflies have different shaped fore and hind wings. Their hind wings are much broad at the base, where they are attached to the body.


Damselflies have the same sized and shaped fore and hind wings. All of them are more slender and taper toward the base, where they attach to the body.



 When resting,

Dragonflies position their wings spread like an airplane.


Damselflies position their wings closed, folded back parallel to the body.



Take a closer look into their eyes,

Dragonflies have large eyes. They are closed together.


Damselflies have relatively small eyes with a gap in between. 



Now check the first two pictures again. Did you get it right? Don’t worry if you are wrong before. Now you have the superpower of differentiating the Dragonfly and Damselfly!


-Naturalist Bro- 

 

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