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Invertebrate Photographs - Odonata (dragonflies and damselfies)
The insect Order Odonata is divided into two suborders: Anisoptera (dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies). The larvae of dragonflies are much larger and robust than damselflies with a head narrower than their body and with short pointed appendages at the tip of their abdomen. Damselfies are more slender and they have 3 long gills at the tip of their abdomen. Adult damselfies (not shown here) have front and hind wings of a similar shape and size and when perched their hind wings can fold over their abdomen. The front and hind wings of adult dragonflies (not shown here) are dissimilar in size and shape and the wings are held horizontally when perched.
Dragonflies (Suborder Anisoptera)
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 Libellula sp. (showing extended labium) Libellulidae ESC |
 Cordulegaster sp. Cordulegastridae |
 Didymops sp. Macromiidae |
 Stylogomphus abistylus Gomphidae |
Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera)
 Enallagma sp. (dorsal view) Coenagrionidae ESC |
 Enallagma sp. (ventral view) Coenagrionidae ESC |
 Enallagma (labium) Coenagrionidae ESC |
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All photographs marked with ESC were taken at USEPA's Region 3 Environmental Science Center at Fort Meade, Maryland. Many thanks to Dr. Dave Russell, invertebrate biologist, for arranging the instruction and assistance with the use of the Olympus SZX12 miscroscope with an Olympus model DC330 optical mount. Other photos were taken under contract to EPA by EcoAnalysts, Inc. Also see our page on dragonflies and damselflies for more information.