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Where do odonate larvae live?

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Male jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx splendens). — Odonata Male jewelwing damselfly (*Calopteryx splendens*).

Odonate larvae are aquatic and inhabit a wide variety of shallow freshwater environments, including ponds, marshes, streams, and even tree holes.1

Their specific microhabitats dictate their physical structure and behavior, as they are well-camouflaged to match the sediments or water plants in their surroundings. For example:12
* Burrowers: Species that live within fine sediment often have cylindrical bodies and a terminal siphon to maintain respiratory contact with the water above.3
* Surface dwellers: Those residing on mud or sand are typically flattened with lateral spines on the abdomen.3
* Plant dwellers: Larvae that live among vegetation near the water's surface are generally streamlined and very active.3

While the vast majority of these insects develop in water, there are rare exceptions, such as certain terrestrial larvae found in Hawaiian damselflies and Australian woodland dragonflies.4