Dragonflies and damselflies are some of Ohio’s most beautiful summer visitors. The more than 160 species that reside in Ohio come in a wide variety of shapes and colors and are easily found darting around ponds and streams as they hunt mosquitoes and other small insects. Dragonflies and damselflies are often confused, and while they look very similar they are distinct. Both belong to the insect order Odonata but comprise different families within that order.
Side by side, dragonflies have thicker bodies than damselflies, which have long, narrow bodies. Dragonflies also have much larger eyes that often connect on top of their head, while the eyes of damselflies are more on the side of the head. Another key difference is in the wings. Both have two pairs of membranous wings. Damselflies have two pairs that are nearly identical in size and shape, and dragonflies have larger hind wings that broaden toward the base. The easiest way to decide if you’re watching a dragonfly or damselfly is to wait until the insect comes to rest and look at the position of the wings. Resting dragonflies hold their wings spread outstretched. A damselfly at rest holds its wings folded above its body.
Learn more about these differences in our Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ohio Field Guide: http://ow.ly/9ygY30pbRdh
