• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

• Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order Odonata)

• Damselflies (Suborder Zygoptera)

 

Suborder Zygoptera comprises the damselflies, a group of predatory insects within the order Odonata, which also includes dragonflies. Damselflies are typically associated with freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, marshes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. They are distinguished from dragonflies by their slender bodies, widely separated eyes, and the habit of holding their wings folded together over the abdomen when at rest. Both the aquatic nymphs and the aerial adults are active predators, feeding on mosquitoes, midges, flies, and other small insects. Damselfly nymphs live underwater, where they capture prey using a specialized extendable lower jaw, while adults hunt in flight with remarkable agility.