Zygoptera

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Category Description:

Zygoptera is a suborder of insects under the order Odonata. The term comes from the Greek words "zygo" which means joined or paired and "ptera" which means wings. Members of the Zygoptera suborder are commonly known as the damselflies.

Damselflies are insects similar to dragonflies but they can be differentiated primarily through their wings. Damselflies hold their wings along on their backs while at rest while dragonflies hold their set of transparent flying organs apart.

Damselflies are carnivorous all throughout their life cycle. As nymphs (the damselfly larvae), they feed on daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small organisms in the water. They moult several times before emerging as winged insects that would later prey on other smaller insects on land. Some damselflies, especially tropical species, are known to pluck spiders off their webs or nests to feed on them.

  • Animal Diversity Web: Zygoptera  - Provides information about the Zygoptera diversity, geographic range, habitat, systematic and taxonomic history, reproduction, and behavior. With pictures and classification guide.
  • Arizona Damselflies  - List and photos of various species of damselflies with accompanying distribution maps. Includes broad-winged damselflies, spreadwings, shadowdamsels, and pond damselflies.
  • Damselflies - Odonata - Zygoptera  - Features galleries of damselflies of New England, Texas, Colorado, California, Arizona, North Carolina, and New Jersey.
  • Damselflies (Suborder Zygoptera)  - Collection of photos featuring various damselflies from different locations in the United States.
  • Damselfly (Zygoptera)  - Information about the damselfly classification, habitat, adaptation, nutrition, reproduction, and interactions. With a glossary and list of references.
  • Damselfly Mating  - Describes the mating process of damselflies and presents related photo and illustrations.
 
 
 
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