Revelation! Chipmunks eat dragonflies! This chipmunk at puffers pond chowing Photo submitted by Lee Christie

How many of you can tell the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?
Perhaps you didn't know that there was a difference between the two?

Both the dragonfly and the damselfly are members of the Order, Odonata, and are among the most ancient creatures on the planet. Fossil records suggest that their forefathers were present during Carboniferous times (300 million years ago ), which means Odonates were around 100 million years before the earliest dinosaurs!

Until recently, I never paid much attention to these delicately beautiful, yet voracious insects. Nor, did I ever consider that they were not all the same; that dragonflies are indeed very different from damselflies. With only a little bit of practice, you too, can distinguish between the two quite easily. One of the most obvious characteristics is the way in which they hold their wings while at rest. Dragonflies will hold their wings out horizontally, away from their bodies, while damselflies will perch with their wings held close to their body. Their eyes are also quit telling. Dragonfly eyes are large and meet at the top of their head, whereas the eyes of a damselfly are more bulbous and protrude from the sides of their head. If you are trying to differentiate the two from afar, you'll notice that the dragonfly body is bulkier, and when flying, is often seen dashing and zipping about, whereas the damselfly has a sinewy body that wafts and flutters through the air.