An Ode to Odonates
What Makes Odonates So Magical?
Plentiful and easy to spot, the dragonflies and damselflies that make up the order Odonata are the largest insects you’re likely to see in Massachusetts.
In folklore from around the world, dragonflies symbolize many things—good luck in some places and bad luck in others. Regardless of their symbolic significance, odonates are a beautiful and fascinating part of our insect community.
There are more than 5,000 known species of dragonflies, with over 180 recorded in New England alone. They come in a dazzling array of colors, some even appearing iridescent in sunlight. Best of all, adult odonates eat a steady diet of other flying insects, including those pesky mosquitoes and black flies.
Dragonflies & Damselflies
Anisoptera (dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies) share a lot in common. Both species have two pairs of large, transparent, membranous wings of about equal size that allow them to fly in almost any direction and even hover like a helicopter.
As with all insects, they have three main segments—head, thorax, and abdomen—that make up their bodies. Both have elongated, cylindrical abdomens. And they have large, compound eyes that allow them to see nearly every angle (except directly behind them).
Common Species in Massachusetts
More than 160 species of odonates occur in Massachusetts, but here are six common varieties you can look for.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer © Helene Grogan
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Widow Skimmer © Ron Verville
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| Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) | Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) | |
Halloween Pennant © Cheryl Rose
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Eastern Pondhawk © Ken Conway
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| Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) | Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) | |
Bluet
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Ebony Jewelwing © Cheryl Rose
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| Bluet (Enallagma species) | Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) |
Which is Which?
While they may look very similar at first glance, it's fairly easy to spot the differences between dragonflies and damselflies.
Here’s a quick guide to the unique characteristics of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies)—and how you can tell them apart.
Dragonflies (Anisoptera)
- Larger and more robust than damselflies.
- They hold their wings in a horizontal position when at rest.
- Larger, more closely set eyes occupy most of the space on their head.
- They’re powerful, straight fliers because their rear wings have a broader base and are larger than their front pair.
Damselflies (Zygoptera)
- Usually smaller than dragonflies.
- Typically hold their wings together above the thorax and abdomen when at rest, except for the aptly named Spread-winged damselflies.
- Their smaller, widely separated eyes project to the side.
- They’re often weak, irregular fliers because their wings and flight muscles are smaller and more delicate.
This article is was featured in the Summer 2018 issue of Explore, Mass Audubon's quarterly member newsletter.