How do you tell the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?

Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies, with bodies that typically range between 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches, while dragonfly bodies are typically longer than 2 inches, Wisconsin Public Radio(Opens in a new window) reports. Dragonflies also have thicker, bulkier bodies, while damselfly bodies are thin like a twig.
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How can you tell a dragonfly from a damselfly?

Dragonflies have hind wings that broaden at the base, which makes them larger than the front set of wings. Damselflies have wings that are the same size and shape for both sets, and they also taper down as they join the body, becoming quite narrow as they connect.
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Do damselflies have 2 sets of wings?

Wings. Both dragonflies and damselflies have two sets of wings, but there are some distinct differences in their wings that can help differentiate between the two. Dragonflies have two sets of similar-sized wings, but the hind wings become more broad at the base, where they attach to the body.
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What's a damselfly look like?

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.
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What does it mean when you see a damselfly?

A damselfly tends to symbolize purity, protection, and equality. The meanings and symbols associated with seeing a damselfly in real life are generally positive.
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Dragonfly vs. Damselfly : The Differences Between | KNOW #46



What Colour are damselflies?

Females have a metallic green body colour, sometimes bronze-green, terminating in a bronze tip. Wings are iridescent pale-amber/green or bronze without the dark centre colour band. Immature males are similar in body colour to mature males but with brownish eyes and the wing band is brown green.
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Why are they called damselflies?

Zygoptera (damselflies) means “equal winged,” while Anisoptera (dragonflies) means “unequal winged.”
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Which of these is important in distinguishing characteristics damselflies from dragonflies?

Also, dragonflies do not have hinges enabling them to fold their wings together when resting, though damselflies do. This feature of the wings is the key morphological feature distinguishing adult dragonflies from damselflies.
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Do dragonflies eat damselflies?

As adults, dragonflies eat just about anything they can catch while on the wing. Mosquitoes, gnats, flies, flying ants, swarming termites, mayflies, midges, butterflies (even big swallowtails), damselflies, other dragonflies, or just about anything small enough for them to catch.
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Do damselflies have four wings?

Wings. Both dragonflies and damselflies have two sets of wings, but there are some distinct differences in their wings that can help differentiate between the two. Dragonflies have two sets of similar-sized wings, but the hind wings become more broad at the base, where they attach to the body.
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How do you identify a dragonfly?

Dragonflies have a head, thorax and abdomen.
  1. The wings are attached to the top of the thorax and the legs to the bottom, so it can be seen that the thorax is tilted backwards. ...
  2. This is a very small darner of the Southeast, with scattered records north to Michigan and New York.
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What insect looks like a dragonfly but isn t?

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.
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Are damselflies bigger than dragonflies?

Dragonflies are generally larger and more robust than damselflies. They have a strong, fast and agile flight. When they rest they hold their wings out at right angles to their body. Their fore wings are different from their hind wings.
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What looks like a dragonfly but only has one set of wings?

Most people know a dragonfly when they see one, but did you know that you may also be looking at a damselfly. Damselfly insects belong to the Odonata order of winged insects. Damselfly species are diverse in appearance, but they all have a few characteristics in common: A large space between their eyes.
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Do all dragonflies have 4 wings?

As it turns out, dragonflies have four wings instead of the conventional two wings that other flying animals have. These wings allow the dragonfly to hover and accelerate in any direction they wish. They can fly up, down, forwards, and even backwards.
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What does it mean when a dragonfly visits you?

If a dragonfly visits you, it is a good sign. It indicates good luck, prosperity, harmony, and fortune. This tiny animal tells you to live your life with full potential, to live every day like it's the last one.
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Can dragonflies bite humans?

They do, however, have teeth. So a bite is possible. Dragonflies aren't an aggressive insect, but they can bite out of self-defense when they feel threatened. The bite isn't dangerous, and in most cases, it won't break human skin.
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Does damselfly have antennae?

If you see an insect with this shape that has long, luxurious antennae, it's antlion. If it has antennae that are barely visible, it's a damselfly.
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Are damsel flies good?

Damselflies are extremely beautiful, beneficial predators because they help control populations of harmful insects. Adults consume large quantities of other insects such as flies, mosquitoes and moths and some eat beetles and caterpillars. One way to conserve them is by avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides.
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Are damselfly harmful?

Are Damselflies Dangerous or Poisonous? Damselflies are not considered dangerous to humans, fish, or pets. Whether aquatic larvae or flying adults, their mouthparts simply are not capable of harming our skin, nor do they try to go after things larger than they are.
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Is a damselfly a female dragonfly?

In both damselflies and dragonflies, the male often guards the female after mating while she lays her eggs in the water. The emperor dragonfly and the common blue damselfly lay their eggs onto the stems of pondweeds to protect them from being eaten by fish. The larva that hatches out of the egg is called a nymph.
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What is the rarest color of dragonfly?

Pink dragonflies are rare – most dragonflies that are close to pink appear more red or reddish-brown in color. Out of the 400+ species found in the US, less than a dozen project a true pink color.
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What is a blue and black dragonfly called?

Darner Dragonfly

They have a striking black body with distinct blue spots. They can commonly be found in the United States, typically around water bodies like lakes, ponds and streams.
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What are the little blue dragonflies called?

The blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is the only species in the genus Pachydiplax. It is very common and widely distributed through North America and into the Bahamas.
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