By Donnetta Wilhelm, Colorado Master Gardener℠

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order Odonata. Odonata means “toothed one” in Greek which refers to the insect’s chewing mouth parts. There are currently 108 species of dragonflies and damselflies known in the state of Colorado. Dragonflies hold their wings horizontally and outstretched when they are resting, while damselflies hold their wings together and above their bodies when at rest. Dragonflies are the top insect predators of the air and are capable of feeding on dozens of mosquitoes, midges and gnats in a short period of time.

Source: Guide to Colorado Insects by Whitney Cranshaw and Boris Kondratieff