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Dragonflies and Damselflies |
| Dragonflies and damselflies are members of the insect
order Odonata. There are about 5,000 species recognized worldwide,
of which 300 plus species are found in North America. About 75
species are commonly found in Florida. They are large
insects with three major body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. The
head has two large compound eyes, three simple eyes, two inconspicuous
antennae, and toothed jaws. The thorax supports six legs and four
membranous wings. The segmented abdomen is long and slender.
Although similar in appearance, there are several key
differences between dragonflies and damselflies. In damselflies, the
forewings and hindwings are similar in shape. In dragonflies, the
hindwings are larger than the forewings. When perched, damselflies
hold their wings pressed together over their backs or partially spread.,
while dragonflies hold their wings straight out to the sides.
Damselflies tend to be smaller and more slender than dragonflies.
Damselflies are weak fliers, staying low to the ground, near the water's
surface, or among vegetation. Dragonflies are stronger, faster, and
typically are found flying out in the open.
There are three major families of damselflies and seven
dragonfly families. They are listed below. |
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Damselflies
Broad-winged Damsels
Spreadwings
Pond Damsels (Variable Dancer,
Rambur's Forktail)
Dragonflies
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| Petaltails
Darners
Clubtails
Spiketails
Cruisers
Emeralds
Skimmers (Four-spotted
Pennant, Halloween Pennant, Eastern Pondhawk, Golden-winged Skimmer,
Scarlet Skimmer, Twelve-spotted Skimmer) |
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