State-threatened Odonata in Pike County: Plains Clubtail and Seepage Dancer

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to Order Odonata. Variations in physical appearance and behavior set them apart. Dragonflies are odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies. They hold their wings horizontal and to the sides when resting and have rectal gills during the naiad phase. Damselflies are any odonate insects distinguished from dragonflies by laterally projecting eyes and usually stalked wings folded above the body when at rest.Dragonflies are larger. Damselflies are smaller. Compound dragonfly eyes are large and round. These eyes touch at the top and wrap around the head. Compound damselfly eyes are round but small. Damselfly eyes are widely separated and protrude off the sides of their heads. A dragonfly's thorax is broader than its abdomen. A damselfly body is delicate, slender, and twig-like.Dragonfly forewings and hindwings vary in shape. Hindwings are broader at the base than forewings. This allows for strong, fast, and agile flight.

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