How do you identify Odonata?

How do you identify Odonata?

Odonata, insect order comprising the dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera). The 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.

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 reports. Dragonflies also have thicker, bulkier bodies, while damselfly bodies are thin like a twig.

What animal group is a dragonfly?

insect
A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera (from Greek ἄνισος anisos, “unequal” and πτερόν pteron, “wing”, because the hindwing is broader than the forewing).

Are flies and dragonflies related?

Dragonfly. A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order ‘Odonata’. Dragonflies are are not actually a fly even though they both have six legs and three body parts, head, thorax and abdomen. The main difference between them is that flies only have two wings whereas dragonflies have four wings.

How do you identify a damselfly?

Characteristics of Damselflies

1. Body: Delicate and small.
2. Wings: Forewings and hind wings are the same shape.
3. Eyes: Separated on the head.
4. Behaviour: Weak flight. Usually rests with wings held against the body.

What kind of dragonfly is a meadowhawk?

On any given warm and sunny day, a person out for a hike will almost always cross paths with a red dragonfly. More often than not, that red dragonfly will be a member of the Meadowhawk genera (Sympetrum). In terms of number of species, Meadowhawks rank second in the Skimmer family (Libellulidae).

Are there any skimmer dragonflies native to Australia?

Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium-sized skimmer dragonflies, known as darters in the UK and as meadowhawks in North America. The more than 50 species predominantly live in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere; no Sympetrum species is native to Australia.

Is there a Ruby Meadowhawk in New England?

There is some research saying no Ruby Meadowhawks in New England, so for those folks, it’s ok to guess a Cherry Faced Meadowhawk. Otherwise, both species have a very large range. Stripes on the thorax are the key field identification guide for the Striped Meadowhawk.

What kind of dragonfly has a blue face?

Look for the light color legs. Most Meadowhawks have dark to black legs. The name Blue-faced Meadowhawk says it all. Grab a good photograph of the facial features of this dragonfly and you are sure to spot the blue face. They are a common species east of the Rocky Mountains.