Differentiating between a dragonfly and a damselfly

Dragonflies vs Damselflies

Both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order Odonata and are known as Odonates.

Dragonflies and damselflies may look quite similar at first glance, but there are a few easy ways to tell them apart.

• Dragonflies have forewings and hindwings that are shaped differently, while damselflies have wings that are similar in shape from front to back.

• When they rest, dragonflies hold their wings flat or slightly downward, almost like tiny airplanes, but damselflies usually hold their wings close together, upright over their bodies.

• Dragonflies have thick and sturdy bodies, giving them a more robust appearance. In contrast, damselflies have slender, delicate bodies, making them look lighter and more fragile than dragonflies.

Discover some of the dragonflies we have in Singapore!

Common Amberwing

Yellow-barred Flutterer

Crimson Dropwing