Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Specy

Damselfly

Insects

Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata, similar to dragonflies but usually smaller and with slimmer bodies. Most species fold their wings along the body at rest, unlike dragonflies, which hold their wings flat and away from the body. Damselflies have existed since the Late Jurassic and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Insectivore 2
System (Realm)
Marine 3
Living or Extinct
Yes 4
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Slim body; most species fold the wings along the body at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold them flat and away from the body 1
Scientific Name
Zygoptera 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Odonata, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Damselfly
Sources
1. Damselfly, Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first sentence
    Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata.
  • Lead section, third sentence
    Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body.
View the Source
2. Wikidata: Damselfly
  • Wikidata Q230502, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Wikipedia 'Damselfly': all damselflies are predatory insects, both nymphs and adults actively hunt and eat other insects
  • Child Taxon Of: Odonata, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q25375 (Odonata)
View the Source
3. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
4. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ230502, descriptionView the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.