Pond Damsels
To learn more about the groups (genera) of Pond Damsels, click on the links at the
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 Pond damsels, also known as narrow-winged damselflies, are the most numerous group
of damselflies found in the United States. Nearly half of all species of damselfly
in the world belong to this one family. Most members of this family are small
with a long, slender abdomen.
Narrow-winged damselflies come in a variety of colors, frequently blue, but sometimes
red, yellow, green or purple. They usually have clear wings with short stigmas, but
in a few species there may be an amber wash to the wing. Pond Damsels grow to an
average of 1-2 inches or 25-50 mm long. Most have very colorful eyes, often with
distinct "post-ocular spots" that can be used for identification.
Most Pond Damsels do frequent ponds, but many others inhabit lakes, bogs, streams
and rivers. A few are very habitat-specific, being found only in coastal ponds or
other specialized locations.
Females of many species in this family may have two color forms, or morphs. One
morph is the usual tan, olive, or brown that is easily distinguishable from the
male's coloration. This is the "heterochromatic" morph. The
other morph, called "homochromatic", is very similar to the color of males.
Males are often more brightly colored than females.
The Pond Damsel is one of the most common and easily observed types of damselfly.
They can be seen perching obliquely or horizontally on low vegetation. They are
weak fliers and tend to fly at low heights, making them easy to observe.
The females prefer to lay their eggs in ponds or slow moving water and do so in
several ways. Some oviposit while alone in low-lying vegetation, while others
oviposit in tandem or with the male guarding from a nearby perch.
The larvae are long and slender. They are usually found clasping onto weeds
near the edge of still waters where they ambush their prey. Pond Damsel larvae
emerge during the day. They swim towards the shore and generally emerge on
shoreline vegetation such as cattails, but will often emerge on rocks or pieces
of old wood.
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