Dragonflies and Damselflies

I've become fascinated with dragonflies and damselflies recently, especially since I've learned that a large part of their diet consists of mosquitoes. Anything that eats mosquitoes is a friend of mine.

As for damselflies...I have a confession to make. Until recently, I thought a damselfly was simply a female dragonfly. Imagine my embarrassment when I learned that they are actually just a different type of dragonfly. (That red glow you see is emanating from my face.)

The most easily observed differences between the two are that damselflies generally hold their wings together, along and parallel to the body, when at rest. Also, damselflies are usually smaller than dragonflies and weaker fliers in comparison; and their eyes are further apart than the eyes of a dragonfly.

So here are a few photos from recent visits to Ouabache State Park.

I think the Widow Skimmer Dragonfly is especially beautiful, and there were several of them flying around on this particular day.

Widow Skimmer Dragonfly

Widow Skimmer Dragonfly

This is a dragonfly, but I don't know what kind.

(Thanks to Steve, at Out on the Prairie, for identifying the above dragonfly as a female Common Whitetail.)

I have no ID for this damselfly, either.

I believe this is a Turquoise Bluet Damselfly

This is the same Turquoise Bluet Damselfly performing some sort of contortion exercise.

In researching dragonflies for this post, I learned that adult dragonflies live only about two months. They live most of their lives as nymphs and can take up to four years in this stage before developing into dragonflies.

If you'd like more information, click here to go to a site which further explains the life cycle of a dragonfly.