Dragonflies and damselflies
These winged insects spend much of their early life as ferocious predators, hunting in Scotland’s freshwater habitats.
The order Odonata comprises:
- dragonflies – wings outstretched at rest
- damselflies – wings folded at rest
This ancient group arose 300 million years ago. That’s 150 million years before the first birds, and 295 million years before our ancestors appeared on Earth.
There are more than 5,500 species worldwide of these insects. Most of them live in the tropics.
Breeding species number:
- 114 in Europe
- 56 in the British Isles
Adult dragonflies and damselflies feed on live insects that they catch while in flight. They frequent sheltered, sunny areas where prey is plentiful.
Prey includes:
- midges
- mosquitoes
- butterflies
- moths
- smaller dragonflies
Northern Emerald Dragonfly, omatochlora arctica.
Click for a full description
©Laurie Campbell/NatureScot.
Reproduction
Scotland’s most common dragonfly and damselfly species breed in ponds and lochs. Such bodies of water are quite widespread but are at risk of pollution, infilling and being drained.
Eggs are deposited in, or near, freshwater or into aquatic vegetation. Once hatched, the larvae prey on a variety of aquatic organisms. They moult several times over a period of months or years, depending on the species.
Protection of dragonflies and damselflies
Find out which of our dragonflies and damselflies are protected species of invertebrate.
Learn about protected invertebrate species and licensing.
Record sightings
Find out how to record sightings of dragonflies on the British Dragonfly Society website.
Your input will help us to determine the health of our dragonfly populations.
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