Read about related Odonata by using the "Forward" and "Backward" device icons. 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.

Red Skimmer Eyes Crocothemis chinensis Odonata Libellulidae 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. View the Index of Orders View Complete Photo List Ants, Bees & Wasps Butterflies & Moths Flies Beetles Lacewings & Antlions Leafhoppers & Cicadas True Bugs Cockroaches Praying Mantids Grasshoppers, Crickets Walking Sticks Dragonflies & Damselflies Mayflies Non-Insects