Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

Most insects have a pair of compound eyes and a varying number of small simple eyes called ocelli. Compound eyes are comprised of individual facets called ommatidia each containing a lens capable of resolving a unique signal to the optic nerve. Size of the individual ommatidia vary with the location on the compound eye which is believed to offer varying sensitivity and resolution. Because dragonflies rely on their keen vision to catch prey in mid flight, their huge compound eyes are comprised of up to 30,000 individual ommatidia which translates into highly resolved vision with a wide field of view.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

This vibrant Red Skimmer Dragonfly from Kauai was found patrolling the banks of a pond and habitually landed on it’s favorite vantage point. Unlike other groups of insects, the beautiful colors fade quickly after death. Dragonflies sit with their wings out and perpendicular to their body whereas their damselfly relatives hold their wings up together above their body. Living up to their names, to their insect prey they are true dragons of the air, using their first 2 pair of legs as a basket with which they scoop up their insect prey in mid flight.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

Dragonflies spend considerable time in flight and are aggressive insectivores with large transparent membranous wings and huge compound eyes. This Green Darner is the largest contemporary dragonfly. Fossil record expose ancient dragonflies with 28 inch wingspans. The immature stages are aquatic with gills. Adult coloration develops after emerging from the aquatic stage with the male and female displaying differentiate coloration. This native Hawaiian species with a green thorax and blue abdomen rides the thermals of Waimea Canyon after several years as an aquatic naiad. They are frequently seen in tandem mating flight, or patrolling their territory.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

This close-up image reveals the beautiful compound eyes of the Hawaiian native Green Darner photographed from the mountains of Kauai. The eye appears to have markings. At the base of each of the individual eye facets are pigmented iris cells which stop light from passing to adjacent facets. The appearance of mesmerizing dark spots in the depths of the eyes are known as pseudopupils and mark the points at which the eye is absorbing all of the light rather than reflecting it back. These eyes show multiple pseudopupils and even some color variation produced my pigmentation within in the facets.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

Dragonflies and damselflies have aquatic immature stages called naiads. They serve as important indicator species for the health of the ecosystem. They are aggressive jet propelled insectivores with long extendable jaws and in some species can be underwater for as long as three years. Kauai’s North Shore has a ceremonial “heiau” named Na Pinao” in honor of dragonflies. The Native Hawaiians called adult dragonflies “pinao” and referred to emerging adults as po’olanui or “the great sun head”.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

Damselflies are related to Dragonflies and have excellent vision aided by their large multifaceted compound eyes. Their eyesight allows them to capture their insect prey while flying. Their powerful flight muscles are held within the enlarged thoracic region. Looking a little like a helicopter, some tropical species with white tips to their otherwise transparent wings resembles spinning rotors. Male damselflies are often painted with vibrant iridescent colors.

Adult dragonflies and damselflies mate and catch their insect prey in mid flight. Odonata groups include dragonflies, darners, skimmers, narrow-winged damselflies and broad-winged damselflies.

This damselfly’s wing, clearly shows the elaborate and delicate golden venation that forms a sound structural skeleton for the flight membrane. Damselflies have two pairs of wings and are quite active in the territorial patrolling of their particular area of the stream or river. Many insects are identified through variations of the venation and shape of their wings. Their Dragonfly relatives are stronger fliers and generally larger insects with phenomenal eyesight.