A damselfly is a predatory insect of the suborder Zygoptera, found mainly near shallow, freshwater habitats. They are aerial insects with slender bodies, long, filmy, net-veined wings, and often vivid colors. Damselflies are more delicate and weaker fliers compared to dragonflies, to which they are closely related. Adult damselflies have two pairs of narrow, transparent wings, a sloping thorax, and a long, slender abdomen. They can be distinguished from dragonflies because they hold their wings vertically and together when at rest. Damselfly larvae are aquatic predators that capture prey using a long, hinged lower lip. They have leaflike gills at the tip of the abdomen, while dragonflies have internal gills.

How can you tell a damselfly apart from a dragonfly?

Damselflies can be distinguished from dragonflies through differences in their body shape, how they hold their wings, and their eyes. Damselflies have slender, needlelike abdomens, while dragonflies have more powerful builds. When at rest, damselflies hold their wings vertically and together, whereas dragonflies hold theirs horizontally and spread apart. Damselflies have eyes that are widely separated, while the eyes of dragonflies are close together or touching. Additionally, damselfly larvae have leaflike gills at the tip of their abdomen, while dragonfly larvae have internal gills.

Where do damselflies live?

Damselflies are aerial insects that live mainly near shallow, freshwater habitats such as ponds, streams, and even tree holes. The immature damselflies, called larvae, are aquatic predators in these freshwater habitats. Widespread habitat loss in wetlands and along rivers is contributing to the decline of damselfly species around the world. Sixteen percent of dragonflies and damselflies are now at risk of extinction.

What do damselflies eat?

Both immature and adult damselflies are predators. Damselfly larvae, also known as nymphs or naiads, live in fresh water habitats and eat other aquatic organisms, capturing prey with a long, hinged lower lip. Adult damselflies prey on small insects while flying. However, those belonging to the family Pseudostigmatidae are unique because they pluck spiders from their webs.

How does a damselfly grow and develop during its life?

The damselfly life cycle begins with eggs laid in or near water, hatching into aquatic larvae called naiads or nymphs. Damselfly larvae are distinguished from dragonfly larvae by typically having three leaflike gills at the tip of the abdomen. As they grow, larvae go through multiple stages, molting and developing into larger versions of themselves. Early instars feed on small aquatic animals, while later instars prey on larger insects and even small fish. This larval development can take weeks to years, depending on the species and habitat. Near the final instar, the larva ceases feeding and transforms into an adult within its skin. It then climbs out of the water and molts one last time to emerge as a winged adult. The adult damselfly takes to the air to feed and mate, preying on small insects in flight.

Why are damselflies important to their ecosystems?

Damselflies are important to their ecosystems because they are predators in both their larval and adult stages. As larvae, they live in freshwater habitats and prey on other aquatic organisms, using a specialized lower lip to capture their food. Adult damselflies continue this predatory role by feeding on small insects in flight. They help regulate populations of their prey, contributing to the balance and health of their freshwater ecosystems.

damselfly

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

A metallic blue-green Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly, Calopteryx virgo, perches on a green fern with its wings closed.

Two Mnais mneme damselflies mating, perched on a green blade of grass with a blurred grassy background.

Common bluetail damselfly (Ischnura senegalensis).

Male jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx splendens).

Odonate oviposition (egg laying): damselflies in the tandem position

Quick Facts

Related Topics:: Odonata

See all related content

damselfly

insect

Also known as: Zygoptera, snake doctor

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Physical description

Adults are easily recognized by their two pairs of narrow, transparent wings, sloping thorax, and long, usually slender body; the abdomen is almost always longer than any of the wings. Damselflies can usually be distinguished from dragonflies by their thinner, needlelike abdomens and by the way they hold their wings when at rest. With few exceptions, damselflies hold their wings vertically and together, rather than horizontally and spread apart. Also, the four wings are almost identical in size and shape and in the vein patterns. Wingspans among damselfly species range from 18 mm (0.71 inch) to about 19 cm (7.5 inches) in Megaloprepus caerulatus, a giant damselfly of tropical Central and South America.

Britannica Quiz

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

The large eyes of damselflies differ from those of dragonflies in that they are always widely separated, rather than close together or touching each other.

Life cycle

Immature damselflies, called larvae (or sometimes nymphs or naiads), are, with very few exceptions, aquatic predators in freshwater habitats such as ponds, streams, and even tree holes. The larvae capture prey by shooting out the long, hinged lower lip, or “mask.” A damselfly larva is distinguishable from a dragonfly larva by its breathing apparatus. Most damselflies usually have three leaflike gills at the tip of the abdomen, whereas dragonflies have internal gills. After emerging from the larval stage, the damselfly takes to the air to feed and mate.

CopulationA pair of mating damselflies (*Mnais mneme*).

The adults prey in flight, mainly on small insects. They are indiscriminate feeders except for the members of one family (Pseudostigmatidae), which are specialists that pluck spiders from their webs. In some species mating is preceded by elaborate courtship by the male. In two families the male hovers in front of the female while displaying his brightly colored wings, abdomen, or legs, sometimes in combination. To mate, damselflies join together in the “wheel” position and commonly fly in tandem this way. Afterward, the male will usually remain attached to the female as she lays eggs. When doing so he retains his grip on the front portion of the female’s thorax, using claspers located at the tip of his abdomen.

Female damselflies normally use a bladelike ovipositor to place eggs inside plant tissue. Several species frequently lay eggs under water, the female at times remaining submerged for an hour or more. A male, usually her last mate, often waits above and may help her rise from the water after she surfaces.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.