A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the related group, damselflies, which are similar in structure, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold the wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. 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.
CATEGORIES
EXCLUSIVE
Sharing is not just caring, it's also about giving credit - add this image to your page and give credit to the talented photographer who captured it.:
KEYWORDS
abdomen above adult agile along and anisoptera away belonging body brilliant build characterized coloured colours compound conspicuous damselflies dragonflies dragonfly elongated eyes flat fliers flight fluttery folded group held hold infraorder insect iridescent large lighter making many metallic mistaken most multifaceted odonata ommatidia order pairs patches related rest sometimes stick strong transparent two weaker wings yellow
More images on Dreamstime
Similar Images
More images by the same author
1 week free trial. Any size, for free
Renews at $25/month, cancel or upgrade at any time
Click here for your free trial!
240,457,153 images | 1,213,541 contributors | 53,268,504 total users