Dragonflies

Collectively, dragonflies and damselflies belong to the group (or Order) of insects known as Odonata, divided into two distinct groups or sub-orders; Anisoptera (true dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies).

Key information about dragonflies:

• Typically dragonflies are larger and more robust than damselflies, and have a faster and more powerful flight.
• Dragonflies have large eyes that usually meet at the top of the head.
• Dragonflies have dissimilar sized pairs of wings – Anisoptera means ‘unequal wings’.
• Dragonflies generally rest with their wings spread open.

14 species of dragonfly can be found in Bedfordshire: