Damselflies

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Sensitive Benthos

Moderately Tolerant Benthos

Pollution Tolerant Benthos

Damselfly nymph

Metamorphosis:

incomplete (see our life cycle page for more information)

Nymphs:

bodies elongated with three distinct paddlelike tails (actually gills) located at end of abdomen; six legs positioned near front of body; two large eyes on top of head; colors range from green, brown, and black; some are robust, others slender; length up to 2 inches.

Reproduction:

females deposit eggs on top of water where they drift to the bottom.

Adults:

possess extremely long abdomens; two pairs of wings that are held upright at rest; very colorful in greens, blues, and reds.

Food:

predaceous, nymphs feed on other aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Scientific Name:

Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera

Indicator Role:

Variable, with damselflies inhabiting slower moving waters, margins of streams, ponds, and lakes.

Information Source:

McDonald, B., W. Borden, J. Lathrop.1990. Citizen Stream Monitoring: A Manual for Illinois. Illinois Departmnet of Energy and Natural Resources, ILENR/RE-WR-90/18. Springfield, Illinois.