How do you identify a damselfly?

Position of the Wings at Rest Finally, you can spot the difference when the insect is at rest. Dragonflies hold their wings out perpendicular to their bodies when resting, like an airplane. Damselflies fold their wings up and hold them together across the top of their backs.

What is the difference in dragonflies and damselflies?

Damselflies have wings that are both the same size and shape, which taper where they attach to the body. Dragonflies, however, have different shaped fore and hind wings. Their hind wings are much broader and don’t taper so much where they attach to the body, giving them more of a plane look.

How many damselflies are there in the UK?

The dragonfly and damselfly species found in the UK Thre have been 57 species recorded in Britain, made up of 17 damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and 25 dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera).

What insect looks like a tiny dragonfly?

Damselflies
Damselflies tend to be smaller and slimmer than dragonflies, their eyes bulge out to each side, making them look “bug-eyed,” and they can fold their wings over their bodies when they land.

What does a damselfly nymph look like?

Damselfly larvae (nymphs) are aquatic, slender, usually drab insects, with 6 thin legs, large eyes, and small wing buds on the back of the thorax.

What is the difference between a damselfly and a mayfly?

Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their eyes are separated. Mayflies are insects which belong to the Order Ephemeroptera. They have been placed into an ancient group of insects termed the Paleoptera, which also contains the dragonflies and damselflies.

What other insect looks like a dragonfly?

Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies.

Do damselflies bite?

The simple answer to this is NO – they have no ‘sting’ as such. BUT there have been a number of accounts of egg-laying dragonflies that, when interrupted, continued the operation into the flesh or clothing of examining odonatists.

What Colour is a damselfly?

Male damselflies typically have iridescent wings and some type of colorful blue, green, or purple body, while the females usually have a golden brown color, even on their wings.

What color are damselflies?

Damselflies are delicate, weak-flying insects. An adult damselfly has a long slender body, which is green, blue, red, yellow, black, or brown and often brightly colored. The color of some species will change with a variety of environments, fading from bright blue to dull purple responding to cool temperatures or light.

Why are they called damselflies?

Zygoptera (damselflies) means “equal winged,” while Anisoptera (dragonflies) means “unequal winged.”