Damselfly
A slender-bodied predatory insect in the suborder Zygoptera, related to dragonflies and typically resting with its wings folded over its back.
Zygoptera: The insect suborder comprising damselflies, characterized by slender bodies and, in most species, wings held together above the body at rest. This is the taxonomic group that contains all damselflies.
Odonate flight: The flight mechanics of dragonflies and damselflies, whose two wing pairs can move with considerable independence. Independent wing control lets damselflies maneuver while pursuing small flying prey.
Ebony jewelwing: A large North American damselfly, Calopteryx maculata, with dark wings and a metallic green body. Its broad, dark wings are an unusually conspicuous variation on the slender damselfly form.
Bioindicator: An organism or biological response used to assess environmental conditions. Damselfly abundance and community composition can reflect the condition of freshwater habitats.
Dragonfly: A predatory insect in the suborder Anisoptera, related to damselflies and typically resting with its wings spread. Wing posture and body build provide quick distinctions between the two odonate groups.
Odonata: The insect order comprising dragonflies and damselflies, whose aquatic juveniles become aerial predators. It places damselflies in the larger order they share with dragonflies.
Prehensile labium: An extendable lower-jaw structure used by aquatic odonate nymphs to seize prey. Damselfly nymphs strike underwater prey with this hinged capture organ.
Banded demoiselle: A European damselfly, Calopteryx splendens, whose male has a broad dark band across each wing. Its wing markings make courtship displays especially visible.
Freshwater ecology: The study of organisms and ecological processes in inland waters such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Damselfly nymphs and adults connect aquatic food webs with terrestrial ones.
Anisoptera: The insect suborder comprising dragonflies, generally characterized by hindwings broader than forewings and wings held open at rest. It is the sister suborder against which Zygoptera is commonly compared.