What are Dragonflies and Damselflies?
Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order Odonata – an ancient and remarkably successful group whose ancestors appear in fossils more than 300 million years old. The order has changed little since then, with many recognisable modern families already present 200 million years ago. Odonata pre‑date the dinosaurs and survived long after they disappeared. Today, they occupy a wide range of habitats and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Like all insects, Odonata are invertebrates with bodies divided into three sections: head, thorax, and abdomen. They have three pairs of segmented legs, a pair of large compound eyes, and two small antennae.
Around 7,000 species of Odonata are known today, grouped into two sub‑orders:
There are slightly more dragonfly species than damselflies.
In the UK, the word ‘dragonflies’ is often used informally to refer to all Odonata, including damselflies. This can make it difficult to distinguish between true dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera). To avoid confusion, we use dragonflies for Anisoptera, damselflies for Zygoptera, and Odonata for the order as a whole.
Distinctive Features of Odonata
All Odonata share several key characteristics:
All Odonata, and dragonflies in particular, are exceptional fliers. They can hover, fly forwards, backwards, and sideways, and change direction rapidly as they chase prey or search for mates. They are capable of sustained flight and can remain airborne for long periods.
Differences between dragonflies and damselflies
Dragonflies and damselflies are closely related, but what separates them?
Why dragonflies and damselflies are important
Dragonflies and damselflies are not exploited commercially on any significant scale, though in some cultures they are used in traditional medicine or eaten as a delicacy. Their greatest value lies in their role as ecological indicators.
Odonata larvae require clean, unpolluted water to survive, so their presence is a strong sign of good water quality. As adults, they depend on surrounding habitats that are free from pesticides and rich in plant and insect life, which in turn supports their predatory lifestyle. Because they rely on healthy freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems throughout their life cycle, Odonata are sensitive indicators of environmental quality and help demonstrate whether habitats are being responsibly managed and are sustainable. This makes them important to conservation efforts and beneficial to us all.
Risks to Odonata
Although dragonflies can be abundant in suitable habitats, they are vulnerable to pollution, habitat loss, and environmental disturbance. Species with specialised habitat requirements are especially at risk. The Norfolk Damselfly, for example, became extinct in the UK after accidental pollution destroyed its only breeding site in the 1960s. In Bedfordshire, the Scarce Blue‑tailed Damselfly disappeared for two decades after the loss of its habitat at Sundon Chalk Quarry, though it has recently been recorded there again.
Of the thousands of Odonata species worldwide, fewer than 50 occur in the British Isles, and almost 30 of these can be found in Bedfordshire.
Climate change is also influencing Odonata distribution. Over the past 20 years, more species have begun visiting or establishing breeding colonies in both the UK and Bedfordshire. Migrants and occasional vagrants appear from time to time, and new species may arrive. Whether these changes represent long‑term range expansions remains uncertain, but the world of dragonflies and damselflies is continually shifting.