Difference between revisions of "Damselfly" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
 
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†[[Zacallitidae]]
 
†[[Zacallitidae]]
 
}}
 
}}
'''Damselfly''' is the common name for any of the [[predatory|predaceous]] insects comprising the suborder '''Zygoptera''' of the order [[Odonata]], characterized by an elongated body, large [[compound eye|multifaceted eyes]] that are widely separated, and two pairs of strong transparent [[wing]]s, which at rest typically are held folded together above the abdomen or held slightly open above the abdomen. Damselflies are similar to [[dragonfly|dragonflies]] (suborder or infraorder Anisoptera) but differ in several ways, including the fact that dragonflies at rest typically hold their wings out to the side or out and downward.
+
'''Damselfly''' is the common name for any of the [[predatory|predaceous]] [[insect]]s comprising the suborder '''Zygoptera''' of the order [[Odonata]], characterized by an elongated body, large [[compound eye|multifaceted eyes]] that are widely separated, and two pairs of strong transparent [[wing]]s, which at rest typically are held folded together above the abdomen or held slightly open above the abdomen. Damselflies are similar to [[dragonfly|dragonflies]] (suborder or infraorder Anisoptera) but differ in several ways, including the fact that dragonflies at rest typically hold their wings out to the side or out and downward.
 +
{{toc}}
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Damselflies provide important ecological and aesthetic values. Widely distributed, found on every continent except [[Antarctica]], both the larvae and adults are key components of aquatic and terrestrial [[food chain]]s, serving as both predator and prey in both systems, and helping to control insects pests, such as [[mosquito]]es. For humans, they are a popular subject of [[art]] and [[culture]] in various nations, notably [[Japan]] (Trueman and Rowe 2008), and their grace, often striking [[color]]s, and unique mating behaviors add to the beauty of [[nature]].  
  
 
==Overview and description==
 
==Overview and description==
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Damselflies and [[Dragonfly|dragonflies]] comprise the order '''Odonata''', a taxon of about 6,500 insects placed into just over 600 [[genus|genera]] (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Members of Odonata are characterized by large, compound [[eye]]s, chewing mouth parts, a long and slender abdomen, and multi-veined wings that are typically clear or transparent. They also have large rounded heads, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated, ten-segmented abdomens. In most families of Odonata, the wings, which are large, multi-veined, and slender, have an opaque structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing, called the [[pterostigma]]. Males have unique secondary genitalia on the underside of the second and third abdominal segments, which are distinct from the actual genital opening located near the tip of the abdomen (Grzimek et al. 2004).  
 
Damselflies and [[Dragonfly|dragonflies]] comprise the order '''Odonata''', a taxon of about 6,500 insects placed into just over 600 [[genus|genera]] (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Members of Odonata are characterized by large, compound [[eye]]s, chewing mouth parts, a long and slender abdomen, and multi-veined wings that are typically clear or transparent. They also have large rounded heads, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated, ten-segmented abdomens. In most families of Odonata, the wings, which are large, multi-veined, and slender, have an opaque structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing, called the [[pterostigma]]. Males have unique secondary genitalia on the underside of the second and third abdominal segments, which are distinct from the actual genital opening located near the tip of the abdomen (Grzimek et al. 2004).  
  
[[Image:Orthetrum_cancellatum.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Dragonfly, ''Orthetrum cancellatum'', with wings out to the side while at rest]]
+
[[Image:Damselfly_2.jpg|left|thumb|Head of a damselfly]]
[[Image:Common_blue_damselfly02.jpg|thumb|right|190px|A damselfly (Coenagrionidae), with wings folded together over the abdomen]]
+
[[Image:Damselfly October 2007 Osaka Japan.jpg|left|thumb|240px|Damselfly, ''Ischnura senegalensis'']]
 
Within Odonata, the damselflies are placed in suborder '''Zygoptera''', while the dragonflies are placed in suborder Aniosptera, or in suborder Epiprocta with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera.  
 
Within Odonata, the damselflies are placed in suborder '''Zygoptera''', while the dragonflies are placed in suborder Aniosptera, or in suborder Epiprocta with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera.  
  
Although generally fairly similar, with an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong transparent [[wing]]s, adults of damselflies and dragonflies differ in several, easily recognizable traits. The large, compound eyes of damselflies typically have a gap between them. In dragonflies, the eyes typically occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face (with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (petaltails) and the Gomphidae (clubtails) families). Damselflies also tend to be less robust than dragonflies, even appearing rather weak in flight, and when at rest hold their wings either folded together back above the abdomen or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae). Dragonflies have fairly robust bodies, are strong fliers, and at rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward (or even somewhat forward). There are exceptions to this, as some zygopteran families have wings that are held horizontally at rest and in one anispteran genus, the wings are held vertically together above the abdomen, like damselflies (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Another difference between damselfies and dragonflies relates to the hind wing. The hind wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the fore wing, while the hind wing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body.
+
Although generally fairly similar, with an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong transparent [[wing]]s, adults of damselflies and dragonflies differ in several, easily recognizable traits. The large, compound eyes of damselflies typically have a gap between them. In dragonflies, the eyes typically occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face (with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (petaltails) and the Gomphidae (clubtails) families). Damselflies also tend to be less robust than dragonflies, even appearing rather weak in flight, and when at rest hold their wings either folded together back above the abdomen or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae). Dragonflies have fairly robust bodies, are strong fliers, and at rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward (or even somewhat forward). There are exceptions to this, as some zygopteran families have wings that are held horizontally at rest, and in one anispteran [[genus]] the wings are held vertically together above the abdomen, like damselflies (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Another difference between damselfies and dragonflies relates to the hind wing. The hind wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the fore wing, while the hind wing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body.
  
 
In damselflies, each of the two pairs of wings are nearly exactly equal in size, shape, and venation; there may be very numerous crossveins or rather few (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Damselfly wingspans range from just 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) in  ''Agriocnemis femina'' up to 190 centimeters (7.5 inches) in the giant [[Central America]]n damselfly, ''[[Megaloprepus coerulatus]]''. Some very large fossil species have been discovered as well.
 
In damselflies, each of the two pairs of wings are nearly exactly equal in size, shape, and venation; there may be very numerous crossveins or rather few (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Damselfly wingspans range from just 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) in  ''Agriocnemis femina'' up to 190 centimeters (7.5 inches) in the giant [[Central America]]n damselfly, ''[[Megaloprepus coerulatus]]''. Some very large fossil species have been discovered as well.
  
The aquatic nymphal stage of damselflies (and dragonflies) are characterized by a conspicuous grasping labium used for catching prey (Trueman and Rowe 2008). This lower lip "mask" is held at rest in a folded position underneath the head and thorax, with one end extending back as far or further than the front legs, with the anterior portion sometimes forward enough in some species to cover the lower part of the face, below the compound eyes (Trueman and Rowe 2008). In capturing prey, the labium is extended rapidly forward to grasp the prey with paired palps, like grasping hands (Trueman and Rowe 2008).
+
The larval stage of damselflies (and dragonflies) are characterized by a conspicuous grasping labium used for catching prey (Trueman and Rowe 2008). This lower lip "mask" is held at rest in a folded position underneath the head and thorax, with one end extending back as far or further than the front legs, with the anterior portion sometimes forward enough in some species to cover the lower part of the face, below the compound eyes (Trueman and Rowe 2008). In capturing prey, the labium is extended rapidly forward to grasp the prey with paired palps, like grasping hands (Trueman and Rowe 2008).
  
 
== Life cycle ==
 
== Life cycle ==
[[Image:Damselfly_2.jpg|left|thumb|Head of a damselfly]]
+
[[Image:Accouplement agrions.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Mating damselflies]]
 
As a member of Odonata, the damselfly [[life cycle]] is similar to that of the [[dragonfly]].
 
As a member of Odonata, the damselfly [[life cycle]] is similar to that of the [[dragonfly]].
  
 
Damselflies undergo [[metamorphosis#Insect metamorphosis|incomplete metamorphosis]]. Incomplete metamorphosis, also called hemimetabolism, simple metamorphosis, gradual metamorphosis, or hemimetaboly, is a term applied to those processes in which the larvae resembles the adults somewhat, as they have compound eyes, developed legs, and wing stubs visible on the outside, but the juvenile forms are smaller and, if the adult has wings, lack wings. In this mode of development, there are three distinct stages: The egg, nymph, and the adult stage, or imago. These groups go through gradual changes; there is no pupal stage. In hemimetabolism, the development of larva often proceeds in repeated stages of growth and [[ecdysis]] (molting); these stages are called ''instars''.  
 
Damselflies undergo [[metamorphosis#Insect metamorphosis|incomplete metamorphosis]]. Incomplete metamorphosis, also called hemimetabolism, simple metamorphosis, gradual metamorphosis, or hemimetaboly, is a term applied to those processes in which the larvae resembles the adults somewhat, as they have compound eyes, developed legs, and wing stubs visible on the outside, but the juvenile forms are smaller and, if the adult has wings, lack wings. In this mode of development, there are three distinct stages: The egg, nymph, and the adult stage, or imago. These groups go through gradual changes; there is no pupal stage. In hemimetabolism, the development of larva often proceeds in repeated stages of growth and [[ecdysis]] (molting); these stages are called ''instars''.  
  
In damselflies, as with dragonflies, the [[life cycle]] has an aquatic stage. The female lays eggs in water, sometimes in underwater vegetation, or high in trees in [[bromeliad]]s and other water-filled cavities. The aquatic nymphs are carnivorous, feeding on [[daphnia]], mosquito larvae, and various other small aquatic organisms. The gills of damselfly nymphs are large and external, resembling three fins at the end of the [[abdomen]]. After molting several times, the winged adult emerges and eats [[fly|flies]], [[mosquito]]es, and other small insects. Some of the larger tropical species are known to feed on [[spider]]s, hovering near the web and simply plucking the spider from its perch.
+
[[Image:DamselflyATH500.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Common blue damselfly eating a leafhopper]]
 +
In damselflies, as with dragonflies, the [[life cycle]] typically has an aquatic stage. The female lays eggs in water, sometimes in underwater vegetation, or high in trees in [[bromeliad]]s and other water-filled cavities. The aquatic nymphs are carnivorous, feeding on [[daphnia]], mosquito larvae, and various other small aquatic organisms. They are non-discriminate predators, eating any animal as large as or smaller than themselves, including tadpoles and [[fish]] fry, and even members of their own species (Trueman and Rowe 2008). The gills of damselfly nymphs are large and external, resembling three fins at the end of the [[abdomen]]. After molting several times, the winged adult emerges and eats [[fly|flies]], [[mosquito]]es, and other small insects. Some of the larger tropical species are known to feed on [[spider]]s, hovering near the web and simply plucking the spider from its perch.
 +
 
 +
While almost all odonate larvae are aquatic, there are a half-dozen or species, from distantly related families, that have fully terrestrial larvae (Trueman and Rowe 2008).
  
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
 +
[[Image:Calopteryx_virgo2.jpg|right|thumb|[[Beautiful Demoiselle]] ''Calopteryx virgo'']]
 +
[[Image:Emerald_spreadwing_2.jpg|right|thumb|[[Emerald Spreadwing]] ''Lestes dryas'']]
 +
[[Image:Hetaerina americana.jpg|right|thumb|American Rubyspot ''Hetaerina americana'']]
 
The following classification of 19 families of damselflies is drawn from Trueman and Rowe (2008) based on the widely accepted classification of Watson and O'Farrell (1991).
 
The following classification of 19 families of damselflies is drawn from Trueman and Rowe (2008) based on the widely accepted classification of Watson and O'Farrell (1991).
  
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==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:Emerald_spreadwing_2.jpg|[[Emerald Spreadwing]] ''Lestes dryas''
 
Image:Calopteryx_virgo2.jpg|[[Beautiful Demoiselle]] ''Calopteryx virgo''
 
 
Image:Common_blue_damselfly.jpg|[[Austrolestes annulosus|Blue Ringtail]] ''Austrolestes annulosus''
 
Image:Common_blue_damselfly.jpg|[[Austrolestes annulosus|Blue Ringtail]] ''Austrolestes annulosus''
</gallery><gallery>
 
Image:p1010762-1.jpg|[[Black Torrent Dart]]
 
Image:p1010464-1.jpg|[[Coromandel Marsh Dart]] ''Ceriagrion coromandelianum''
 
 
Image:jewelwing.jpg|Female [[Ebony Jewelwing]]  ''Calopteryx maculata''
 
Image:jewelwing.jpg|Female [[Ebony Jewelwing]]  ''Calopteryx maculata''
</gallery><gallery>
 
Image:DamselflyATH500.jpg|Common blue damselfly eating a [[leafhopper]]
 
Image:Hetaerina americana.jpg|American Rubyspot ''Hetaerina americana''
 
Image:Damselfly October 2007 Osaka Japan.jpg|''Ischnura senegalensis''
 
</gallery><gallery>
 
 
Image:20080211 Chelsea Damselfly On Oleander Leaf.jpg|Unidentified damselfly in [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
 
Image:20080211 Chelsea Damselfly On Oleander Leaf.jpg|Unidentified damselfly in [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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Image:Mating Damselflies on Grass Posed Front and Back.jpg
 
Image:Mating Damselflies on Grass Posed Front and Back.jpg
 
Image:Mating Damselflies on Grass Posed Up and Down.jpg
 
Image:Mating Damselflies on Grass Posed Up and Down.jpg
Image:Accouplement agrions.jpg
 
 
Image:Coenagrion puella Luc Viatour.jpg
 
Image:Coenagrion puella Luc Viatour.jpg
 
Image:Blue damselfly.jpg
 
Image:Blue damselfly.jpg
Line 115: Line 113:
 
* Grzimek, B., D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade. ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit: Thomson-Gale, 2004. ISBN 0307394913.
 
* Grzimek, B., D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade. ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit: Thomson-Gale, 2004. ISBN 0307394913.
 
* Lohmann, H. 1996. Das phylogenetische system der Anisoptera (Odonata). ''Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift'' 106(9): 209-266.
 
* Lohmann, H. 1996. Das phylogenetische system der Anisoptera (Odonata). ''Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift'' 106(9): 209-266.
* Rehn, A. C. 2003. [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00210.x Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata]. ''Systematic Entomology'' 28(2): 181-240. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
+
* Rehn, A. C. 2003. [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00210.x Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata] ''Systematic Entomology'' 28(2): 181-240. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
* Trueman, J. W. H., and R. J. Rowe. 2008. [http://tolweb.org/Odonata/8266 Odonata: Dragonflies and damselflies]. ''Tree of Life'' Version 20, March 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
+
* Trueman, J. W. H., and R. J. Rowe. 2008. Odonata: Dragonflies and damselflies ''Tree of Life'' Version 20, March 2008.
 
* Watson, J. A. L., and A. F. O'Farrell. 1991. Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). Pages 294 to 310 (Chapter 17) in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), ed., ''The Insects of Australia. A Textbook for Students and Research Workers''. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0522844383.
 
* Watson, J. A. L., and A. F. O'Farrell. 1991. Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). Pages 294 to 310 (Chapter 17) in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), ed., ''The Insects of Australia. A Textbook for Students and Research Workers''. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0522844383.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
+
All links retrieved June 23, 2022.
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_American_Rubyspot.htm American Rubyspot Damselfly ''Hetaerina americana'' diagnostic photos and information]
+
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_American_Rubyspot.htm American Rubyspot Damselfly ''Hetaerina americana'' diagnostic photos and information]  
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_Enallagma_civile.htm Familiar Bluet Damselfly ''Enallagma civile'']
+
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_Enallagma_civile.htm Familiar Bluet Damselfly ''Enallagma civile'']  
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_emerald_spreadwing.htm Emerald Spreadwing Damselfly ''Lestes dryas'']
+
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_emerald_spreadwing.htm Emerald Spreadwing Damselfly ''Lestes dryas'']  
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_stream_bluet.htm Stream Bluet Damselfly ''Enallagma exsulans'']
+
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_stream_bluet.htm Stream Bluet Damselfly ''Enallagma exsulans'']  
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_northern_bluet_.htm Northern Bluet ''Enallagma cyathigerum'']
+
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/damselfly_northern_bluet_.htm Northern Bluet ''Enallagma cyathigerum'']  
*[http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=335226 ''Blue-Tailed Damsel, Asian specie.'']
 
*[http://www.3dindia.com/cms/node/255 ''Stereoscopic 3d cross eye view, Damsel fly.'']
 
  
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Invertebrates]]
 
[[Category:Invertebrates]]
[[Category:Arthropods]]
 
[[Category:Insects]]
 
  
{{credit|Damselfly&oldid=216471453}}
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{{credit|Damselfly|216471453}}

Revision as of 06:24, 15 January 2023

Damselflies
Blue Ringtail, Austrolestes annulosus
Blue Ringtail, Austrolestes annulosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Selys, 1854
Families

Amphipterygidae
Calopterygidae - Demoiselles
Chlorocyphidae - Jewels
Coenagrionidae - Pond Damselflies
Dicteriadidae - Barelegs
Euphaeidae - Gossamerwings
Hemiphlebidae - Reedlings
Isosticidae - Narrow-wings
Lestidae - Spreadwings
Lestoididae
Megapodagrionidae - Flatwings
Perilestidae - Shortwings
Platycnemididae - White-legged Damselflies
Platystictidae - Forest Damselflies
Polythoridae - Bannerwings
Protoneuridae - Pinflies
Pseudolestidae
Pseudostigmatidae - Forest Giants
Synlestidae - Sylphs
†Zacallitidae

Damselfly is the common name for any of the predaceous insects comprising the suborder Zygoptera of the order Odonata, characterized by an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes that are widely separated, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which at rest typically are held folded together above the abdomen or held slightly open above the abdomen. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies (suborder or infraorder Anisoptera) but differ in several ways, including the fact that dragonflies at rest typically hold their wings out to the side or out and downward.

Damselflies provide important ecological and aesthetic values. Widely distributed, found on every continent except Antarctica, both the larvae and adults are key components of aquatic and terrestrial food chains, serving as both predator and prey in both systems, and helping to control insects pests, such as mosquitoes. For humans, they are a popular subject of art and culture in various nations, notably Japan (Trueman and Rowe 2008), and their grace, often striking colors, and unique mating behaviors add to the beauty of nature.

Overview and description

As with all members of the arthropod class Insecta, damselflies have three pairs of jointed appendages, exposed mouth parts, an exoskeleton, a segmented abdomen that lacks any legs or wings, and one pair of antennae on the head.

Damselflies and dragonflies comprise the order Odonata, a taxon of about 6,500 insects placed into just over 600 genera (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Members of Odonata are characterized by large, compound eyes, chewing mouth parts, a long and slender abdomen, and multi-veined wings that are typically clear or transparent. They also have large rounded heads, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated, ten-segmented abdomens. In most families of Odonata, the wings, which are large, multi-veined, and slender, have an opaque structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing, called the pterostigma. Males have unique secondary genitalia on the underside of the second and third abdominal segments, which are distinct from the actual genital opening located near the tip of the abdomen (Grzimek et al. 2004).

Head of a damselfly
Damselfly, Ischnura senegalensis

Within Odonata, the damselflies are placed in suborder Zygoptera, while the dragonflies are placed in suborder Aniosptera, or in suborder Epiprocta with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera.

Although generally fairly similar, with an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, adults of damselflies and dragonflies differ in several, easily recognizable traits. The large, compound eyes of damselflies typically have a gap between them. In dragonflies, the eyes typically occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face (with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (petaltails) and the Gomphidae (clubtails) families). Damselflies also tend to be less robust than dragonflies, even appearing rather weak in flight, and when at rest hold their wings either folded together back above the abdomen or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae). Dragonflies have fairly robust bodies, are strong fliers, and at rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward (or even somewhat forward). There are exceptions to this, as some zygopteran families have wings that are held horizontally at rest, and in one anispteran genus the wings are held vertically together above the abdomen, like damselflies (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Another difference between damselfies and dragonflies relates to the hind wing. The hind wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the fore wing, while the hind wing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body.

In damselflies, each of the two pairs of wings are nearly exactly equal in size, shape, and venation; there may be very numerous crossveins or rather few (Trueman and Rowe 2008). Damselfly wingspans range from just 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) in Agriocnemis femina up to 190 centimeters (7.5 inches) in the giant Central American damselfly, Megaloprepus coerulatus. Some very large fossil species have been discovered as well.

The larval stage of damselflies (and dragonflies) are characterized by a conspicuous grasping labium used for catching prey (Trueman and Rowe 2008). This lower lip "mask" is held at rest in a folded position underneath the head and thorax, with one end extending back as far or further than the front legs, with the anterior portion sometimes forward enough in some species to cover the lower part of the face, below the compound eyes (Trueman and Rowe 2008). In capturing prey, the labium is extended rapidly forward to grasp the prey with paired palps, like grasping hands (Trueman and Rowe 2008).

Life cycle

Mating damselflies

As a member of Odonata, the damselfly life cycle is similar to that of the dragonfly.

Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis, also called hemimetabolism, simple metamorphosis, gradual metamorphosis, or hemimetaboly, is a term applied to those processes in which the larvae resembles the adults somewhat, as they have compound eyes, developed legs, and wing stubs visible on the outside, but the juvenile forms are smaller and, if the adult has wings, lack wings. In this mode of development, there are three distinct stages: The egg, nymph, and the adult stage, or imago. These groups go through gradual changes; there is no pupal stage. In hemimetabolism, the development of larva often proceeds in repeated stages of growth and ecdysis (molting); these stages are called instars.

Common blue damselfly eating a leafhopper

In damselflies, as with dragonflies, the life cycle typically has an aquatic stage. The female lays eggs in water, sometimes in underwater vegetation, or high in trees in bromeliads and other water-filled cavities. The aquatic nymphs are carnivorous, feeding on daphnia, mosquito larvae, and various other small aquatic organisms. They are non-discriminate predators, eating any animal as large as or smaller than themselves, including tadpoles and fish fry, and even members of their own species (Trueman and Rowe 2008). The gills of damselfly nymphs are large and external, resembling three fins at the end of the abdomen. After molting several times, the winged adult emerges and eats flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Some of the larger tropical species are known to feed on spiders, hovering near the web and simply plucking the spider from its perch.

While almost all odonate larvae are aquatic, there are a half-dozen or species, from distantly related families, that have fully terrestrial larvae (Trueman and Rowe 2008).

Classification

Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo
Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana

The following classification of 19 families of damselflies is drawn from Trueman and Rowe (2008) based on the widely accepted classification of Watson and O'Farrell (1991).

  • Hemiphlebioidea
    • Hemiphlebidae - Reedlings
  • Coenagrionoidea
    • Coenagrionidae - Pond Damselflies
    • Isosticidae - Narrow-wings
    • Platycnemididae - White-legged Damselflies
    • Platystictidae - Forest Damselflies
    • Protoneuridae - Pinflies
    • Pseudostigmatidae - Forest Giants
  • Lestoidea
    • Lestidae - Spreadwings
    • Lestoididae
    • Megapodagrionidae - Flatwings
    • Perilestidae - Shortwings
    • Pseudolestidae (single species, Pseudolestes mirabilis)
    • Synlestidae - Sylphs
  • Calopterygoidea
    • Amphipterygidae
    • Calopterygidae - Demoiselles
    • Chlorocyphidae - Jewels
    • Dicteriadidae - Barelegs
    • Euphaeidae - Gossamerwings
    • Polythoridae - Bannerwings

Gallery

Mating Damselflies

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Grzimek, B., D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson-Gale, 2004. ISBN 0307394913.
  • Lohmann, H. 1996. Das phylogenetische system der Anisoptera (Odonata). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 106(9): 209-266.
  • Rehn, A. C. 2003. Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata Systematic Entomology 28(2): 181-240. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
  • Trueman, J. W. H., and R. J. Rowe. 2008. Odonata: Dragonflies and damselflies Tree of Life Version 20, March 2008.
  • Watson, J. A. L., and A. F. O'Farrell. 1991. Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). Pages 294 to 310 (Chapter 17) in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), ed., The Insects of Australia. A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0522844383.

External links

All links retrieved June 23, 2022.

Credits

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