Damselflies
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Sensitive Benthos
Moderately Tolerant Benthos
Pollution Tolerant Benthos
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.
Other Links:
- Odonata (dragonflies and damselfies) - Aquatic Insect Interactive Verification Program - Chironomidae Research Group, University of Minnesota
- The Odonate Larvae of Michigan
- Entomology: A Guide to the Freshwater Food Sources of British Columbia's Game Fish - damselflies
- California dragonflies and damselflies
- British dragonflies and damselflies and their ecology and taxonomy
- Odonata in Freshwater Benthic Ecology and Aquatic Entomology Homepage S.M. Mandaville from the Soil & Water Conservation Society of MetroHalifax
- Damselflies from Westbrook Elementary School, Maryland, Macroinvertebrate Menu
- Tree of Life - Odonata