Both dragonflies and damselflies belong to order Odonata (which is sometimes refered to as dragonflies as well) and they are similar in many ways. They are flying carnivorous insects that have incomplete methamorphosis (egg -> nymph -> adult) and look a lot alike. They can be however, easily separated based on traits in which they differ.
How to separate dragonfly and damselfly?
Size and Shape: While damselflies are small and rearly مزید than 4 cm (1,5 in) long and very thin, dragonflies are big (6+ cm یا مزید than 2 in) and massive. Dragonfly's thorax narrows to abdomen less noticeably so the difference is not as evident.
(Note: Some tropical species (family Pseudostigmatidae) of damselfly can be very long, even longer than dragonflies. They can stil be easily recognized as damselflies because of their shape.)
Flight and Hovering: Damselflies are weak fliers, they often fly only short distances and land over every few feet of flight. They are swinged even سے طرف کی the weakest wind. For the same reason they are very bad at hovering on spot. Dragonflies on the other hand, are one of the best fliers on the world, they can fly much greater distances than damselfy without stoping. They can rapidly chage direction of their flight without slowing down excessively and hover very well. Only strong wind influences them.
(Note: Some species of dragonfly tend to lend مزید than others, so the landing thing is not 100% sure.)
Wings: First and سیکنڈ pair of dragonfly's wings are different, the سیکنڈ is generally wider. While resting, they hold their wings perpendicular to their body, horizontaly یا even slightly down and forward. Damselfly's wings are all similar and when it rests, it normaly holds them together and above the torso.
Eyes: Damselfly's eyes are separated, while on most of dragonflies they touch.
General Appearance: Damselflies look fragile while dragonflies look like they are going to bite somebody's head off!!! (Just kidding, but they do look مزید tough then damselflies. :D) With some skill, آپ can catch damselfly with your hands.
How to separate dragonfly and damselfly?
Size and Shape: While damselflies are small and rearly مزید than 4 cm (1,5 in) long and very thin, dragonflies are big (6+ cm یا مزید than 2 in) and massive. Dragonfly's thorax narrows to abdomen less noticeably so the difference is not as evident.
(Note: Some tropical species (family Pseudostigmatidae) of damselfly can be very long, even longer than dragonflies. They can stil be easily recognized as damselflies because of their shape.)
Flight and Hovering: Damselflies are weak fliers, they often fly only short distances and land over every few feet of flight. They are swinged even سے طرف کی the weakest wind. For the same reason they are very bad at hovering on spot. Dragonflies on the other hand, are one of the best fliers on the world, they can fly much greater distances than damselfy without stoping. They can rapidly chage direction of their flight without slowing down excessively and hover very well. Only strong wind influences them.
(Note: Some species of dragonfly tend to lend مزید than others, so the landing thing is not 100% sure.)
Wings: First and سیکنڈ pair of dragonfly's wings are different, the سیکنڈ is generally wider. While resting, they hold their wings perpendicular to their body, horizontaly یا even slightly down and forward. Damselfly's wings are all similar and when it rests, it normaly holds them together and above the torso.
Eyes: Damselfly's eyes are separated, while on most of dragonflies they touch.
General Appearance: Damselflies look fragile while dragonflies look like they are going to bite somebody's head off!!! (Just kidding, but they do look مزید tough then damselflies. :D) With some skill, آپ can catch damselfly with your hands.
Can you tell which one is which?
