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Dragonflies and Damselflies: What’s the Difference?

They may belong to the same insect order, but there's a lot that sets them apart. Here's a quick guide
Text by: Anirudh Nair Design by: Diviya Mehra
Updated   May 27, 2026
Text by: Anirudh Nair Design by: Diviya Mehra
Updated   May 27, 2026
1 min read
They may belong to the same insect order, but there's a lot that sets them apart. Here's a quick guide
Listen Listen to this article 15:34 min

What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? 

Dragonflies are short and chunky, having broader and open wings, meanwhile damselflies have long, narrow bodies and in most species, wings are closed when resting. Dragonflies are known for their fast, strong and agile flight, meanwhile damselflies have relatively weaker and slower flight.

What is the largest odonate in the world? 

The largest odonate in the world is the Blue-winged helicopter damselfly (Megaloprepus caerulatus), having a wingspan of 19 cm

Do dragonflies undertake the longest insect migration? 

Yes, the globe skimmer or wandering glider (Pantala flavescens) are dragonflies that undertake the longest insect migration. They undertake multigenerational migration which spans 18,000 km in a year, with one individual flying up to 6,000+ km. 

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