How do dragonfly wings differ from damselfly wings?

Dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) exhibit distinct differences in their wing structure and resting behavior:

• Wing Shape: In dragonflies, the front and rear pairs of wings are shaped differently, with the hind wings typically being broader than the forewings. In contrast, damselflies possess two pairs of wings that are similar in shape.12
• Resting Position: When at rest, dragonflies typically hold their wings spread out horizontally. Damselflies generally hold their wings vertically, pressed together against each other.1

Both groups belong to the order Odonata and feature wings strengthened by a complex network of veins, each containing a thickened patch on the leading edge of the wing tip known as the pterostigma. While both are agile fliers capable of beating their wing pairs independently, dragonflies are generally considered to be stronger and more powerful fliers than damselflies.21