|
Dragonflies and Damselflies - West Yorkshire
|
|
Difference between a Dragonfly and a Damselfly:
A Dragonfly is generally larger, its flight is less jerky than
a damselfly. When resting the dragonfly usually has its wings
90 degree to its body, the damselfly usually has them folded back
along its body.
Both species use their long legs to capture insects when flying,
their legs are so long that they are unable to walk on the horizontal.
Dragonflies feed on insects which they catch while flying with
their forelegs extended out.
They belong to the group Hawkers - Dragonflies that restlessly
patrol their territory in search of prey. Other category is the
Darters which have thicker body and will spend time resting on
vegetation.
Life cycle
After the Dragonflies have mated they fly off often both joined
together, the female pushes her abdomen into the water and inserts
the eggs amongst vegetation. The eggs hatch into nymphs which
spend two - four years in the water feeding on tadpoles and other
prey. In early summer the grown nymph leaves the water usually
early evening and clings to foliage, it sheds its skin and emerges
as a winged adult dragonfly.
|
|