Dragonflies and damselflies together make up the order Odonata. Dragonflies make up the suborder Anisoptera and damselflies make up the suborder Zygoptera.

The predaceous aquatic insect has an elongated body and two pairs of membranous wings. The adult head consists of compound eyes, short antennae and mouthparts adapted for spooning prey from the air. The legs are located forward on the body.

Most dragonflies simply drop their eggs into the water. The eggs develop into nymphs that spend their life entirely submerged, feeding on other aquatic animals.

The nymphs crawl out of the water before the final molt and become winged adults.