Article
Article
Odonata
Article By:
Trueman, John School of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Last reviewed:January 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.465700
An order of the class Insecta, commonly known as dragonflies and damselflies. Odonates (Fig. 1) generally are conspicuous insects with strong flying ability and a complex range of behaviors. They occur on all continents except Antarctica, although more species occur near the Equator than at higher latitudes. The larvae are aquatic, inhabiting all types of freshwater, including streams, rivers, ponds, and marshes. The adults fly over or near these localities, although some species may disperse and are occasionally found far from water. See also: Insecta
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