Dragonflies and damselflies both belong to the order Odonata. All odonates share certain characteristics, including membranous wings, large eyes, slender bodies, and small antennae. Conversely, there are clear differences between dragonflies and damselfies, the most obvious differences being - eyes, body, wings, and resting position

Taxonomists divide the Odonata into three suborders: Zygoptera, the damselflies; Anisoptera, the dragonflies; and Anisozygoptera, a group somewhere in between the two.

Differences between dragonflies and damselflies:

  1. Eyes
    Dragonfly: most have eyes that touch, or nearly touch, at the top of the head
    Damselfly: eyes are clearly separated, usually appearing to each side of the head
  2. Body
    Dragonfly: usually stocky
    Damselfly: usually long and slender
  3. Wing Shape
    Dragonfly: dissimilar wing pairs, with hind wings broader at the base
    Damselfly: all wings similar in shape
  4. Position at Rest
    Dragonfly: wings held open, horizontally or downwards
    Damselfly: wings held closed, usually over abdomen
  5. Discal Cell
    Dragonfly: divided into triangles
    Damselfly: undivided, quadrilateral
  6. Male Appendages
    Dragonfly: pair of superior anal appendages, single inferior appendage
    Damselfly: two pairs of anal appendages
  7. Female Appendages
    Dragonfly: most have vestigial ovipositors
    Damselfly: functional ovipositors
  8. Larvae
    Dragonfly: breathe through rectal tracheal gills; stocky bodies
    Damselfly:breathe through caudal gills; slender bodies

Species found in Zimbabwe: