DRAGONS & DAMSELS

Known and admired for their beauty, acrobatic behavior, and whimsical nature, dragonflies and damselflies are commonly associated with the symbolic meaning of change and transformation. Worldwide, there are more than 5,000 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), with 450 species found in North America and 164 currently recorded in Ohio.

Dragonflies are the strongest flyers of the insect world, flying in all directions and hovering in midair like a helicopter! This is due to the impressive construction of their two sets of wings, enabling each wing to move independently of the other. In contrast, damselflies are not as aerial adept due to having weak wing muscles and beating their wings at different times. The immature stages of each of these species are aquatic and found near lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps, and canals. Their presence is an important indicator of water quality.

Damselflies are slender, have widely separated compound eyes, and rest their four wings together over their abdomen when sitting. In contrast, dragonflies are larger, have eyes that touch near the top of their head, and usually hold their wings straight out while sitting.

Depending on the species, Odonates’ coloration can vary in blues, greens, browns, yellows, and even reds. With their prehistoric appearance, it is not surprising to hear that they have been around for

about 300 million years. Although many Odonates are common, a number are listed as threatened or endangered. While hiking along or resting on one of the benches near our ponds and rivers, keep an eye out for these and other common Ohio species: common green darner, Eastern pondhawk, widow skimmer, blue dasher, common whitetail, Eastern forktail, ebony jewelwing, and the familiar bluet.

PICTURED: Common green darner