What is the difference between dragonflies and damselflies?
1) The wing shapes are the same in damselflies, whereas in dragonflies, the hind wings are broader than their forewings.
2) In damselflies, the wings are closed at rest, whereas in dragonflies, the wings are open at rest.
3) The damselfly bodies are slim and long, whereas dragonfly bodies are robust.
4) The damselfly flight patterns are slow, whereas dragonfly flight patterns are fast and agile.
TYPES OF DAMSELFLIES
Ebony Jewelwing
(Calopteryx maculata)
Ebony Jewelwing - male
Ebony Jewelwing - male
The female Ebony Jewelwing has white spots on each of its upper wings.
Ebony Jewelwing - female
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BLUETS
Familiar Bluet
(Enallagma civile)
Familiar Bluet
Familiar Bluet
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Female Eastern Forktail
(Ischnura verticalis)
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The damselflies copulate in the same manner as the dragonflies do: i.e., the male clasps the back of the head of the female. The female then flexes the tip of her abdomen (which contains ova) onto the ventral aspect of the male abdomen, which contains sperm cells.
