What is the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies?

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order known as Odonata, meaning "toothed jaw" - their mouthparts are serrated. They are often referred to collectively as "dragonflies", however there are two different sub-orders.

Dragonflies are insects in the sub-order Anisoptera (meaning "unequal-winged"). Hind wings are usually shorter and broader than Fore wings. They are usually larger, strongly flying insects that can often be found flying well away from water. When at rest, they hold their wings out from the body, often at right angles to it. The eyes are very large and usually touch, at least at a point.

Click on thumbnail to see full size picture.

Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum sanguineum
 Abberton 15/07/03		 Ruddy Darter 0122.jpg (67623 bytes) Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata
Fingeringhoe 15/07/03		 Four-spotted Chaser 0147.jpg (51636 bytes) Four-spotted Chaser 0150.jpg (48244 bytes)
Black-tailed Skimmer
Orthetrum cancellatum		 Black-tailed Skimmer 6178.jpg (111461 bytes) Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly 6088.jpg (108396 bytes) Black-tailed Skimmer 6089.jpg (112410 bytes) Near Beeleigh Weir, Maldon.
06/07/03
Scarce Chaser
Libellula fulva		 Scarce Chaser 6193.jpg (34785 bytes) Scarce Chaser 6203.jpg (65850 bytes) On canal near Beeleigh, Maldon.
07/07/03		  
Keeled Skimmer
Orthetrum coerulescens		 Keeled Skimmer 5922.jpg (44414 bytes) Thursley Common, Surrey
22/06/03
Southern Hawker
Aeshna cyanea
My garden, Maldon.
07-09-2006
Norfolk Hawker
Aeshna isosceles


The isosceles triangle (yellow) that gives the insect its name.

 Strumpshaw Fen RSPB nature reserve, Norfolk.
15/06/08		  


Damselflies are insects in the sub-order Zygoptera (meaning "yoke-winged"). All four wings are near enough equal in size and shape. They are usually small, weakly flying insects that stay close to the water margins or water surface. When at rest, most species hold their wings along the length of their abdomen. The eyes are always separated, never touching.

Click on thumbnail to see full size picture.

Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ischnura elegans
 Near Beeleigh Weir, Maldon.
06/07/03		 Blue-tailed Damselfly 6128.jpg (40560 bytes) Blue-tailed Damsellfly (f) 6161.jpg (39900 bytes) Blue-tailed Damselfly 0468.jpg (27099 bytes)
Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
 Near Beeleigh Weir, Maldon.
06/07/03		 Common Blue Damselfly 6123.jpg (64046 bytes) Teneral Common Blue Damsellfly 6113.jpg (27728 bytes)
Banded Demoiselle (m)
Calopteryx splendens
 Near Beeleigh Weir, Maldon.
07/07/03		 Banded Demoiselle 6086.jpg (56927 bytes) Banded Damoiselle 6180.jpg (54682 bytes)
Banded Demoiselle (f)
Calopteryx splendens		 Beautiful Damoselle6202.jpg (42676 bytes)  
Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
 Thursley Common, Surrey
22/06/03		 Large Red Damselfly 5929.jpg (34846 bytes)  
Small Red Damselfly
Erythromma viridulum
 Thursley Common, Surrey
22/06/03		 Small Red Damselfly 5921.jpg (50104 bytes)  
Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Erythromma vridulum
Fingeringhoe 15/07/03		 Small Red-eyed Damselfly0142.jpg (119699 bytes)  
White-legged Damselfly
Platycnemis pennipes
 Beeleigh, Maldon 19/07/03		 White Legged Damselfly 0211.jpg (46570 bytes)  

Please note, I am not an expert on dragonflies. If any ID or other mistake is spotted please let me know via the contacts page.

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