Anisoptera
Sign in to saveA dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Adult dragonflies are characterised by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight. An a
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Anisoptera is the scientific group that includes dragonflies, a diverse order of flying insects with about 3,000 known species that are found worldwide, particularly in tropical regions. These insects are notable for their large compound eyes, two pairs of strong wings, and elongated bodies, and they face threats from wetland habitat loss around the world.
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Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderMalvales
- FamilyDipterocarpaceae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
29 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Evolution
- Distribution and diversity
- Description
- Anatomy
- Color<!-- yes, this IS the British English spelling of the noun, despite "colour" when alone -->ation
- Biology
- Ecology
- Behaviour
- Reproduction
- Life cycle
- Sex ratios
- Flight
- Flight speed
- Motion camouflage
- Temperature control
- Feeding
- Eyesight
- Predators
- Parasites
- Dragonflies and humans
- Conservation
- In culture
- In poetry and literature
- In technology
- Notes
- References
- Sources
- External links
A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Adult dragonflies are characterised by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each.
Dragonflies can be mistaken for the closely related damselflies, which make up the other odonatan infraorder (Zygoptera) and are similar in body plan, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Dragonflies make use of motion camouflage when attacking prey or rivals.