| Gallery: Dragonflies and damselflies |  |
The dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are, perhaps only second to the butterflies, the most spectacular group of insects which regularly occur in gardens. A pond in the garden is a sure-fire way of attracting some members of this group.
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(>anisoptera)
The dragonflies belong to the sub-order 'Anisoptera'. Generally speaking, you can tell a dragonfly from a damselfly because, when at rest, a dragonfly holds its wings wide open at right-angles to the body (a damselfly generally closes them lengthways down the back). |
(>zygoptera)
The damselflies belong to the sub-order 'Zygoptera'. Damselflies are usually smaller and more delicate looking than dragonflies and they tend to close their wings lengthways down the back when at rest (dragonflies hold their wings wide open at right-angles to the body at rest). |
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Dragonflies
Damselflies