Damselflies are what you might call cousins to dragonflies. They are both a suborder of the same order, Odonata. Itsort of the way that moths are related to butterflies. What distinguishes a damselfly from a dragonfly are the wings. Damselflies have wings that are about the same size and shape where the forewing on dragons differs in size and shape from the hindwing. We have 3 families of damselflies here in Minnesota. The group with the largest and most colorful damsels is the broadwing family.
Here in Minnesota we have three species of broadwing damselfly. The river and ebony jewelwings, which have a metalic green colored body and at least partially black wings, and the American rubyspot, which is pictured above. The American rubyspot is a damselfly assosiated with small rivers and creeks. They are oftern seen perched on a blade of grass on a river bank basking in the sun. The sunlight seems to eluminate their red color often making them appear to glow. This is particularily true of the males, both pics above are males. The females typically are a duller red color mixed with some green.
Damselflies are what you might call cousins to dragonflies. They are both a suborder of the same order, Odonata. Itsort of the way that moths are related to butterflies. What distinguishes a damselfly from a dragonfly are the wings. Damselflies have wings that are about the same size and shape where the forewing on dragons differs in size and shape from the hindwing. We have 3 families of damselflies here in Minnesota. The group with the largest and most colorful damsels is the broadwing family.
Here in Minnesota we have three species of broadwing damselfly. The river and ebony jewelwings, which have a metalic green colored body and at least partially black wings, and the American rubyspot, which is pictured above. The American rubyspot is a damselfly assosiated with small rivers and creeks. They are oftern seen perched on a blade of grass on a river bank basking in the sun. The sunlight seems to eluminate their red color often making them appear to glow. This is particularily true of the males, both pics above are males. The females typically are a duller red color mixed with some green.
4 comments:
They are glowing like rubies. Lovely shots!
Wow..I haven't seen this color of damselfly before! It's just fantastic and beautiful.
Great pictures, and I just love all the information you give on the little critters you show us.
A real beauty!! I'm curious now to know if we have them here. I don't spend much time inland, along rivers and streams, but when I do I'll be on the lookour!
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