Introduction to the Odonata. Among living Odonata, there are twenty-five families, mostly dragonflies and damselflies. Of all their characteristics. Orden: Plecoptera Familia: Perlidae Orden: Coleoptera Familia: Ptilodactylidae Orden: Odonata Familia: Calopterygidae Orden: Trichoptera Familia: Glossosomatidae. Driver Package Install C# Download Preactivated Version.

Contents • • • • • • • • • Etymology and terminology [ ] coined the term Odonata from the οδόντoς (οδούς), odontos (tooth) apparently because they have teeth on their mandibles, even though most insects also have toothed mandibles. The word dragonfly is also sometimes used to refer to all Odonata, but odonate is a more correct name for the group as a whole. Odonata enthusiasts avoid ambiguity by using the term true dragonfly, or simply Anisopteran, when referring to just the Anisoptera. The term Warriorfly has also been proposed. Some 5,900 species have been described in this order. Systematics and taxonomy [ ] This order has traditionally been grouped together with the and several extinct orders in a group called the ', but this grouping might be. What they do share with mayflies is the nature of how the wings are articulated and held in rest (see for a detailed discussion).

In some treatments, the Odonata are understood in an expanded sense, essentially synonymous with the but not including the prehistoric. In this approach, instead of Odonatoptera, the term Odonatoidea is used. The of the 'Palaeoptera' are by no means resolved; what can be said however is that regardless of whether they are called 'Odonatoidea' or 'Odonatoptera', the Odonata and their extinct relatives do form a.

The was long treated as a suborder, with a third suborder, the 'Anisozygoptera' (ancient dragonflies). However, the combined suborder (in which Anisoptera is an infraorder) was proposed when it was found that the 'Anisozygoptera' was paraphyletic, composed of mostly extinct offshoots of dragonfly evolution.

The four living placed in that group are (in this treatment) in the infraorder, whereas the fossil that were formerly there are now dispersed about the Odonatoptera (or Odonata sensu lato). Is a prehistoric family of Odonatoptera that can be considered either a basal lineage of Odonata or their immediate. Main article: Size [ ] The largest living odonate is the giant helicopter damselfly (Zygoptera: Pseudostigmatidae) with a wing span of 191 mm. The heaviest living odonates are plagiata (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) with a wing span of 165 mm, and (Anisoptera: Petaluridae) with a body length of 117 mm (some sources 125 mm) and wing span of 160 mm. The longest extant odonate is the Neotropical helicopter damselfly linearis (Zygoptera: Pseudostigmatidae) with a body length of 135 mm.

Sometimes the Anax strenuus (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) is claimed to be the largest living odonate with an alleged wing span of 190 mm, but this seems to be rather a myth as only 152 mm are scientifically documented. The fossil 'giant dragonflies' like permiana from the of North America with up to 71 cm wing span and 43 cm body length have been the largest insects of all times and belonged to the order, the griffinflies, related to odonates but not part of the modern order Odonata in the restricted sense.

The smallest living dragonfly is (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) from east Asia, which a body length of 15 mm and a wing span of 20 mm, and the smallest damselflies (and smallest odonates of all times) are species of the genus (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) with a wing span of only 17–18 mm. Description [ ]. Dragonfly (top) and damselfly (bottom) wing shape and venation These insects characteristically have large rounded heads covered mostly by well-developed,, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated abdomens. They have three and short. The are on the underside of the head and include simple chewing in the adult. In most families there is a structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing called the. This is a thickened, –filled and often colorful area bounded by veins.

The functions of the pterostigma are not fully known, but it most probably has an aerodynamic effect and may also have a visual function. More mass at the end of the wing may also reduce the energy needed to move the wings up and down. The right combination of wing stiffness and wing mass could reduce the energy consumption of flying. Sitepoint Jquery Novice To Ninja Pdf - Download Free Apps. A pterostigma is also found among other insects, such as bees. The nymphs have stockier, shorter, bodies than the adults. In addition to lacking wings, their eyes are smaller, their antennae longer, and their heads are less mobile than in the adult. Their mouthparts are modified, with the labium being adapted into a unique prehensile organ for grasping prey.