Seasonal Info for Kids
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Summer is an excellent time to learn about dragonflies and damselflies – powerful hunters, feeding on other insects, including each other! These two sets of insects belong to the larger order called the Odonata, or “odonates” in English. They originated from the Protodonata order at least 300 million years ago, and those we see flying today have changed little from the specimens we find in fossils! There are approximately 6,000 species worldwide.
The above information was taken from Colin D. Jones’ The Friends of Algonquin Park Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Provincial Park and the Surrounding Area, 2008. This resource offers identification plates for our local dragonflies and damselflies, and offers great information on where to find them.
To appreciate these insects, it helps to first learn how to tell a dragonfly from a damselfly. Here’s a tip sheet:
|
Part to look at |
Dragonfly |
Damselfly |
|
Whole body |
Fatter |
thinner |
|
Eyes |
Close together or touching |
Far apart |
|
Wings |
Back wings usually larger than front; cannot fold wings back; often lie flat when at rest |
All four about the same size; can fold wings back;, often in shape of a maple key |
Questions & Answers:
Do dragonflies and damselflies always hunt in the air? No. They both begin life as water insects called nymphs, a pretty name for hungry predators who can eat prey as large as minnows! Once the nymphs are ready to fly, they crawl out of the water and change their body shape into flying insects, the same way caterpillars change into butterflies.
Where can I find dragonflies and damselflies? They often hover around slow-moving bodies of water to hunt smaller insects and catch them in their legs (positioned like a basket) while flying. Wait for one to land on a tall grass stem in the water to get a good look.
Test Your New Knowledge!
Which of these photos shows a damselfly, and which is the dragonfly?
Photos: Alicia Salyi
Information: Hickman, Pamela. Seasons’ Children’s Supplement: Investigating Insects. Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Spring 1990.
As with all wild creatures, please give respect to these insects. They’re tiny but they pack a powerful bite if handled incorrectly. Observe dragonflies and damselflies without touching them, and if you are lucky, one might select you to perch on while it’s hunting!
Tuesday, September 7: After a summer of nature close at hand and field trips, we turn our attention to the skies and learn about astronomy from expert Brian McCullough.
Attention MFNC members! We have secured a booth at the upcoming Carp Fair, and we need volunteers to help us set up, take down, decorate, plan and mostly, to represent the Club at the Fair. Four hour volunteer slots are available from Thursday evening to Sunday at 6 pm September 23-26th. Each volunteer will receive one day pass to the Fair. If interested please contact Art Goldsmith at treasurer@mfnc.ca with what you can do to help and when.
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