Damselflies are extremely beautiful, beneficial predators because they help control populations of harmful insects. Adults consume large quantities of other insects such as flies, mosquitoes and moths and some eat beetles and caterpillars. One way to conserve them is by avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides.

Are damselflies sensitive to pollution?

Both damselflies and dragonflies breathe dissolved oxygen through gills on the abdomen. Dragonflies that are sensitive to pollution are those that wait burrowed in the sediment to ambush their prey, where oxygen is first depleted when nutrient pollution occurs. Damselflies are moderately tolerant of pollution.

Are dragonflies indicator species?

Not only are they are a indicator for healthy biophysical environmental conditions but lead to an indication of other species in an aquatic environment and the general biodiversity. Their sensitivity to habitat quality and their amphibious life cycle make dragonflies well suited for evaluating environmental changes.

What does a damselfly eat?

Damselfly nymphs are predatory, feeding on aquatic insects.

  • They capture prey by using a modified lower lip (called a labium) that shoots out rapidly and seizes the prey item.
  • As adults they prey mainly on insects, small crustaceans, and fish, capturing their prey during flight using hind legs covered in hair.

What are damselflies predators?

Damselflies, both nymphs and adults, are eaten by a range of predators including birds, fish, frogs, dragonflies, other damselflies, water spiders, water beetles, backswimmers and giant water bugs.

Do damselflies have gills?

Most damselflies usually have three leaflike gills at the tip of the abdomen, whereas dragonflies have internal gills. After emerging from the larval stage, the damselfly takes to the air to feed and mate.

Are mayflies pollution tolerant?

Mayflies spend most of their lives in larval form. Mayflies are very sensitive to pollution, and as such are usually only found at high quality, minimally polluted sites. Along with caddisflies and stoneflies, they are one of the three most commonly used indices of aquatic ecosystem health.

Are Diptera tolerant to pollution?

Water Quality Indicator: Larvae live in fairly clean water and are only moderately tolerant of pollution. Habitat & Habits: Larvae are found in streams, ponds, and marshes, especially along the edges.

Are damselflies an indicator species?

There are 2,942 known species of damselflies. Damselflies, however, are better adapted to cooler temperatures than dragonflies. Both species require healthy environments to thrive and serve as environmental indicators of both healthy and unhealthy ecosystems.

How do dragonflies impact the environment?

Dragonflies are important to their environments both as predators (particularly of mosquitos) and as prey to birds and fish. Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem.

Are damselfly harmful?

Damselflies are not considered dangerous to humans, fish, or pets. Whether aquatic larvae or flying adults, their mouthparts simply are not capable of harming our skin, nor do they try to go after things larger than they are.

Why is a damselfly called a damselfly?

Zygoptera (damselflies) means “equal winged,” while Anisoptera (dragonflies) means “unequal winged.” When they are not flying, damselflies usually hold their wings up over their backs (with the exception of spread-winged damsels), but dragonflies hold their wings open and to the sides.