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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To tell a dragonfly from a damselfly, watch its wings when it rests: dragonflies usually hold them open, while damselflies usually fold them over or alongside the body. Confirm with the eyes and wings—dragonfly eyes usually meet or nearly meet, and their hind wings are broader at the base; damselfly eyes are separated and their wing pairs are similar in shape.
Both insects belong to the order Odonata. Dragonflies belong mainly to the suborder Anisoptera, while damselflies belong to Zygoptera. Both have large compound eyes, long abdomens, and two pairs of transparent, heavily veined wings.
The fastest test: look at the wings when it lands
Wait for the insect to perch rather than trying to identify it during flight.
- Dragonflies usually hold their wings fully open, extending sideways from the body.
- Damselflies usually fold their wings together over or alongside the abdomen.
This is the quickest field clue, but it is not perfect. Spreadwing damselflies often rest with their wings partly open. If wing position is unclear, check the eyes and wing shape too.
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- Comprehensive Coverage: The ultimate photographic field guide covering all 783 insect families currently recognized in the United States and Canada—the first field companion of its kind since the Peterson guide in 1970
- Stunning Visual Reference: Features more than 3,700 color photos with nearly every photo identified to species level, providing unparalleled visual identification support for both professionals and amateurs
- Expert Authors: Written by Dr. John C. Abbott, Chief Curator and Director of Research at The University of Alabama Museums, and Kendra Abbott, ecologist and science communicator—authors of Common Insects of Texas and Surrounding States
- Essential Learning Resource: Includes identification keys to families for many orders, an illustrated glossary for easy field reference, and comprehensive introduction covering classification, nomenclature, insect diversity, and modern collecting techniques—ideal for entomology courses at all levels
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1. Compare the eyes
Look at the insect’s head from the front or side.
- Dragonflies: Their very large eyes usually meet, or nearly meet, at the top of the head.
- Damselflies: Their eyes are separated by a conspicuous gap on either side of the head.
Eye spacing is a strong clue, but dragonfly eyes do not always touch: some species have a small gap. Use this feature with the wings rather than as a standalone rule.
2. Check the body shape
Dragonflies generally look sturdy and substantial. Damselflies usually look narrow, delicate, and almost twig-like.
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- Dragonfly: Broader, more heavily built body.
- Damselfly: Thin, slender body.
Body shape is more useful than size. Some damselflies are relatively large and some dragonflies are small, so do not identify an insect by length alone.
3. Examine the wings
When the insect is close enough to see the individual wings, compare the front and hind pairs.
- Dragonflies: The hind wings are usually broader near their bases than the front wings.
- Damselflies: The front and hind wings are generally similar in shape and size, and both narrow toward the base.
Wing shape is especially helpful when a damselfly is holding its wings partly open or when you see the insect only briefly in flight.
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4. Watch how it flies
Flight behavior can provide an initial guess:
- Dragonflies usually fly strongly and purposefully, often patrolling, hovering, or changing direction rapidly.
- Damselflies usually have a lighter, more fluttering flight and tend to remain close to vegetation or the water’s edge.
Do not use flight style by itself. Species vary, and damselflies can move quickly when disturbed.
5. Do not identify it by color alone
Color is not a dependable way to separate dragonflies and damselflies. Males and females can look different, and newly emerged adults, called tenerals, may be unusually pale before their mature colors develop. Older individuals can darken or develop additional surface coloring.
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| Feature | Dragonfly | Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Wings at rest | Usually spread sideways | Usually folded over or alongside the abdomen |
| Eyes | Usually touching or nearly touching | Clearly separated |
| Body | Generally robust | Generally slender |
| Hind wings | Usually broader at the base | Usually similar to the front wings |
| Flight | Strong and purposeful | Usually lighter and fluttering |
| Important exception | Some species have slightly separated eyes | Spreadwing damselflies may rest with wings partly open |
How to identify one in the field
- Observe from a distance. Let the insect land instead of trying to catch it.
- Check the resting wings. Open wings suggest a dragonfly; folded wings suggest a damselfly.
- Look at the eyes. A nearly continuous eye area points toward a dragonfly, while a clear gap points toward a damselfly.
- Confirm with the body. A broad body supports dragonfly; a thin body supports damselfly.
- Use wing shape if possible. A distinctly broader hind wing base supports dragonfly.
For a dependable identification, use at least two or three clues together. Resting wing position, eye spacing, and wing shape are usually more useful than color, overall size, or flight behavior alone.
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- Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America By Brock Jim P Kaufman Kenn
What if you are looking at a larva?
Dragonflies and damselflies spend their immature stages in water. These aquatic young are commonly called larvae or naiads, and they look very different from the flying adults.
- Damselfly larvae have leaf-like external gills, called caudal lamellae, at the end of the abdomen.
- Dragonfly larvae do not have those external tail plates. Their gill structures are internal and associated with the hind end.
This tail-gill distinction applies to aquatic immature insects, not adults.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What is the easiest way to tell a dragonfly from a damselfly?
Look at the wings when the insect lands. A dragonfly usually rests with its wings spread sideways, while a damselfly usually folds them over or alongside its abdomen. Confirm with eye spacing and wing shape.
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- Pocket Guide to Insects of North America
- Pocket Guide to Insects of North America
- National Geographic Maps
Do dragonflies always have eyes that touch?
No. Dragonfly eyes usually meet or nearly meet, but some species have a small separation. Damselflies have a much more obvious gap between the eyes.
Can color identify a dragonfly or damselfly?
Not reliably. Males and females may look different, and newly emerged tenerals can be unusually pale before their mature colors develop.
How can I tell their larvae apart?
Damselfly larvae have leaf-like external gills, or caudal lamellae, at the end of the abdomen. Dragonfly larvae lack those external tail plates and have internal gill structures associated with the hind end.
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