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Identification and caption information has been obtained from 'The Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland' ISBN 0-953-13990-5. This is an excellent guide for either the novice (me) or the more knowledgeable.


There are two main features that differentiate dragonflies and damselflies.
At rest damselflies hold their wings folded along their bodies, whereas dragonflies hold their wings out at 90deg to their body
Dragonfly eyes are very large and meet over the top of the head whereas damselfly eyes are placed on opposite sides of the head.

Both dragonflies and damselflies feed on insects caught in flight. Thorn like bristles on the legs help to hold prey and offer it up to the powerful cutting mandibles.