Dragonflies 



207 



The dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are 

 all aquatic. The adults are carnivorous insects that go 

 hawking about over the surfaces of ponds and meadows, 

 capturing and eating a great variety of lesser insects. 

 The larger dragonflies eat the smaller ones. 



FIG 114. An adult damselfly, Ischnura verticalis, perching on the stem of a 

 low galingale, Cyperus diandrus. 



The form of body in the dragonflies is peculiar and 

 distinctive. The head, which is nearly overspread by 

 the huge eyes, is loosely poised on the apex of a narrow 

 prothorax. The remainder of the thorax is enlarged and 

 the wings are shifted backward upon it, and the legs 

 forward, adapting them for perching on vertical stems. 



