Dragonfly

Dragonfly
(CC) Photo: John Wright
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia (animals) Phylum: Arthropoda (arthropods) Subphylum: Hexapoda (hexapods) Class: Insecta (insects) Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Palaeoptera Order: Odonata (odonates) Suborder: Epiprocta (dragonflies) Infraorder: Anisoptera (true dragonflies) Selys, 1800
Families
Aeshnidae Austropetaliidae Cordulegastridae Corduliidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Macromiidae Neopetaliidae Petaluridae

Dragonflies are insects belonging to the order Odonata, the infraorder Anisoptera. They are characterized by an elongated body, two pairs of strong, usually transparent wings, and large multifaceted eyes. Eyes touch in most species. Wings are held perpendicular to the body when at rest. Hindwings broaden near the base. The last three features can be used to distinguished dragonflies from damselflies.

(CC) Photo: Igor Grešovnik
A dragonfly (species Orthetrum cancellatum) resting above the water surface.

Bibliography

Richard E. White (Illustrator), Donald J. Borror (Illustrator), Roger Tory Peterson (Series Editor). A Field Guide to Insects. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. ISBN 978-0395911709.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System.