 |
Artwork by: Joann Wheeler 2001 |
Fast
Fact:
The suborder name of Zygoptera means "yolk
wings". Their feathery respiratory organs greatly enhance respiration, which allows
damselfly larvae to live in standing waters where dissolved oxygen may be less suitable to
other aquatic organisms. |
| Size |
12.7 to 25.4 mm, ½
to 1 inch |
| Habitat |
Damselfly larvae are often found inhabiting SAV.
Many species live in areas of standing water such as permanent and temporary ponds, lake
edges, swamps and marshes. A few species live in the soft sediments, sand, bank
vegetation, and bank debris of streams. A damselfly larva moves about by moving its abdomen
and three feathery respiratory organs at the end of its abdomen. |
| Reproduction |
Damselfies are a hemimetabolous order with all species
having aquatic larvae. The life cycle of damselfly larvae can range from six months to one
year. Adults disperse and feed for a week or more before returning to breeding sites. At
the breeding site, a male chases other males out of its territory while trying to capture
a female when she has entered his territory. After capturing a female, mating occurs.
Soon, the female lays eggs one by one inside plant tissues that are below, at or above the
surface of the water. Eggs can also be laid one by one or in a large mass on plants,
debris or other underwater structures, or laid on the surface of the water (they later
sink to the bottom). After the larva hatch, they crawl out of the water and dry off. Once
their exoskeleton dries and cracks, the adult climbs out of the exoskeleton and
flies away in search of a mate. Generally, the adult stage only lasts up to few weeks. |
| Feeding |
Adults feed on mosquitoes and other flying insects. Larvae
feed on other insects and small invertebrates. |
| Predators |
There are many potential predators at all stages of life.
Larvae are prey to larger predatory insects, fish, frogs, turtles and birds. When larvae
emerge from the water to metamorph into adults, they are still soft and cannot fly
well. As a result, newly emerged larvae are vulnerable to birds and frogs. Birds and frogs
will also feed on larvae and adults when they become concentrated into small pools as a
result of a drought. Adults flying into a spider’s web may become trapped and food
for the spider. |
| Description |
Damselfly larvae are easily recognized by their very thin
elongated abdomen with three long "tails", or respiratory organs, at the
end. Larvae have a very distinctive swimming motion in that they undulate from side to
side (similar to how fish move). Coloration varies in larvae but often reflects the
habitat they reside in. Adult coloration can be brown, black, green, red or blue. Adults
damselflies can be distinguished from adult dragonflies in two ways 1) adult damselflies
are have much smaller and slender bodies than adult dragonflies and 2) adult damselflies
hold their wings vertically in relation to the abdomen when at rest, while adult
dragonflies hold their wings horizontally in relation to the abdomen when at rest. Neither
insect can fold its wings. |
|
