February 25, 2025
Dragonflies and damselflies are some of the oldest creatures living in the world today, with specimens in the fossil record dating back over 319 million years. Their story may predate the dinosaurs, but it continues to play out in rivers, ponds, and wetlands all over the world.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between dragonflies and damselflies, and learn how conservation efforts in Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) are helping to add a new chapter to our understanding. Join us as we tell the story of our planet’s oldest flying insects – a tale of dragons and damsels.
Taxonomy and etymology
Dragonflies and damselflies are closely related. They both belong to the Odonata order, a group of flying insects that comprises more than 5,000 species. The majority of these are on the dragonfly side of the family. Odonata is a subgroup of the broader Odonatoptera. The scientific study of Odonata is referred to as odonatology.
The term Odonata is taken from the ancient Greek word meaning ‘tooth’, and is indicative of the dragonfly’s hunting behavior. The modern word ‘dragonfly’ should technically only be applied to Anisoptera, but is often a catch-all for various Odonata. Experts and enthusiasts avoid ambiguity by using the term ‘true dragonfly’, or ‘anisopteran’. An alternative term – warriorfly – has also been proposed.
Physical Differences
Aside from the names, another way to distinguish dragons from damsels is their body types. Dragonflies tend to have longer, thicker bodies than their more delicate cousins. Dragonflies also have larger eyes than damselflies; a dragonfly’s eyes are extremely specialized compound organs, which feature multiple lenses and take up most of the space on their head. By comparison, a damselfly’s eyes are much smaller, simpler in their construction, and spaced further apart.
Another key difference can be found in the wings. Dragonflies have a pair, with the hind wings broadening at the base where they attach to the thorax. By comparison, damselfly wings are more slender and taper toward the base. Similar to butterflies and moths, you can usually tell a dragon from a damsel by the way they position their wings when resting; when not being used for flight, a dragonfly’s wings rest perpendicular to their body, like the wings of an airplane. A damselfly’s wings fold back parallel to their body, which gives them a more streamlined appearance when resting.
Habitat and Diet
All Odonates are carnivorous and almost entirely insectivorous. Both dragonflies and damselflies spend the early part of their lives as aquatic larvae called naiads or nymphs, which prey on small animals in ponds, rivers, and waterways. During the larval stage, they will eat just about anything they can catch. This includes small fish, tadpoles, and sometimes even newts.
Predator, Pollinator, and Prey: Ecosystem Roles
Damselflies are important natural control agents, feeding on a diverse range of small insects, including mosquitoes and flies, along with spiders, thereby keeping their populations in check. In turn, they also provide a source of food for birds, bats, and other predators.
Dragonflies and damselflies spend most of their life cycle as aquatic larvae. This requires good water quality that can support plenty of prey species for their ravenous larvae to feed on. This also makes both species positive indicators of ecosystem health in aquatic habitats, as their presence is a clear sign the water in these areas is clean, healthy, and unpolluted.
RER Hosts Odonatan Scientists for Dragonfly and Damselfly Research
In early 2020, RER teamed up with Dr. Rory Dow, an expert on Odonata species and an official member of the IUCN Odonata Specialist Group, to conduct the first of four planned Odonata surveys. During the first survey, a total of 57 species of dragonflies and damselflies were identified in RER, one of which was listed as Endangered (EN) and another Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN Red List.
Of the 57 species documented by Dr. Dow’s initial survey, four were recorded for the very first time in Sumatra, nine were new to Riau Province, and one species, Amphicnemis bebar, was recorded for the first time in Indonesia. Subsequent surveys in 2023 identified 100 species, of which 39 were new to Riau and two were new to science. Forty-nine species were classified as forest-dependent, underlining the importance of ongoing restoration and protection efforts in the region.
Adding New Chapters to the Odonata Story
The results of these surveys demonstrate the rich biodiversity of Odonata currently living in RER, while also indicating this habitat is currently in good health. More surveys are planned for the years ahead, as RER continues to collaborate with global experts to expand our understanding of species and their ecosystem role in the peatland forests of Riau in Indonesia.
By studying damselflies and dragonflies in RER, we are helping to reveal the intricate ways in which these creatures interact with and actively support the ecological balance of their habitats. Documenting species and their behaviors enables us to understand their unique requirements and formulate effective strategies for their conservation. Ultimately, this knowledge will help to ensure the story of dragons and damsels, which has played out in the wetlands of our world for hundreds of millions of years, continues to unfold for many more years to come.
