What is the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies? 

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order known as Odonata, meaning "toothed jaw" - their mouthparts are serrated. They are often referred to collectively as "dragonflies", however there are two different sub-orders.
Dragonflies
are insects in the sub-order Anisoptera (meaning "unequal-winged"). Hind wings are usually shorter and broader than Fore wings. They are usually larger, strongly flying insects that can often be found flying well away from water. When at rest, they hold their wings out from the body, often at right angles to it. The eyes are very large and usually touch, at least at a point.

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Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata
Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum sanguineum
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum
Black-tailed Skimmer
Orthetrum cancellatum
Scarce Chaser
Libellula fulva
Keeled Skimmer
Orthetrum coerulescens
Southern Hawker
Aeshna cyanea
Norfolk Hawker
Aeshna isosceles

The isosceles triangle (yellow) that gives the insect its latin name.



Damselflies
are insects in the sub-order Zygoptera (meaning "yoke-winged"). All four wings are near enough equal in size and shape. They are usually small, weakly flying insects that stay close to the water margins or water surface. When at rest, most species hold their wings along the length of their abdomen. The eyes are always separated, never touching.

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Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ischnura elegans
m
m
f
Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
Red-eyed Damselfly
Erythromma najas
Small Red Damselfly
Erythromma viridulum
 
Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Erythromma vridulum
 
White-legged Damselfly
Platycnemis pennipes
 

Please note, I am not an expert on dragonflies. I just enjoy photographing them. If any ID or other mistake is spotted please let me know via the contacts page.

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