Dragonflies and damselflies
Explore Singapore’s shimmering aerial acrobats
Last updated 29 July 2026
What are dragonflies and damselflies?
Dragonflies and damselflies make up an order called Odonata, and are one of the most ancient insects around today. All Odonata are predatory insects with four wings, and undergo an incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolism), where nymphs grow and moult directly into adults instead of having a pupal stage. Adult dragonflies and damselflies have large compound eyes that afford them almost 360-degree vision, and complex flight mechanisms that allow them to hover, fly backwards, and execute high speed aerial maneuvers undetectable to our naked eye. These remarkable adaptations make dragonflies the most successful predators in the animal kingdom, with a prey catch rate of 95%!
Dragonfly and damselfly species of Singapore
Did you know Singapore is home to over 129 dragonfly and damselfly species? Explore some of them below!
Blue Dasher
Blue Sprite
Common Amberwing
Common Blue Skimmer
Common Flangetail
Common Parasol
Common Scarlet
Crimson Dropwing
Ornate Coraltail
Spine-tufted Skimmer
Variegated Green Skimmer
Yellow-barred Flutterer
Resources on the dragonflies and damselflies of Singapore
Keen to deepen your knowledge on the dragonflies and damselflies of Singapore? Learn more through these related resources.
For more resources, visit our biodiversity resource library and filter for "dragonflies and damselflies"!
Join us at Dragonfly Watch!
Enjoy spotting dragonflies, or interested to learn more about the ones you see in our parks and gardens? Join us for the Dragonfly Watch to collect valuable data about local species, which contributes to their conservation.