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Damselfly Nymph
Damselflies are related to dragonflies.
What they look like:
Damselfly Nymphs have slender bodies, with three
long tail-like gills at the end. They have extendable
jaws that fold up under the head (like Dragonfly Nymphs),
and legs close behind their head. Large compound eyes
(eyes made from lots of smaller eyes) give them excellent
vision.
Size:
16-33 mm long.
Where they live:
Damselfly Nymphs live on plants, among stones and leaf
litter at the bottom of ponds or slow-flowing rivers.
What they eat:
Damselfly Nymphs are predators and feed mostly on other
insects in the water, but they also can be cannibals,
eating each other. Some larger species have been known
to feed on small fish. They catch their food with a
toothed lower lip (labium) that is usually
folded under the insect's head. When a small insect
comes near, the nymph will shoot out its lower lip to
grab its prey. The lip is then pulled back and feeding
begins.
Pollution tolerance:
Tolerant,
rating 3.
Damselfly Nymphs are sensitive to habitat disturbance.
They need aquatic or riparian vegetation in the
waterways where they live. |
What’s interesting about
the Damselfly Nymph? |
