Damselfly

Damselflies
	; Male Common bluetail damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta)
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; Pseudostigmatidae - Forest Giants; Synlestidae - Sylphs; †Zacallitidae

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The Damselfly (Suborder Zygoptera) is an insect in the Order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest. Furthermore, the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body. Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their eyes are separated.

[edit] Biology

Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with an aquatic nymphal stage. The female lays eggs in water, sometimes in underwater vegetation, or high in trees in bromeliads and other water-filled cavities. 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 moulting 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 plucking the spider from its nest.