|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Odonata
Odonata (damselflies, devil's darning needles, dragonflies, horse-stingers; class Insecta, subclass Pterygota) Order of primitive insects, the earliest fossils of which are found in the Upper Carboniferous coal measures of Commentry (France). These slender-bodied insects have two pairs of large, glassy wings, and large, prominent eyes. They usually hunt on the wing, taking swarming flies and other flying insects. Odonates are unique in possessing two sets of genitalia (see ACCESSORY GENITALIA). The nymphs are aquatic, and catch prey with a prehensile organ (called the mask) derived from the labia (see LABIUM). Despite their fearsome common names, these beautiful insects are not dangerous to large animals. About 5000 species are known, with a cosmopolitan but mainly tropical distribution.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odonata." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odonata." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Odonata.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Odonata." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Odonata.html |
|
Odonata
Odonata An order of exopterygote insects containing the dragonflies and damselflies, most of which occur in tropical regions. Adult dragonflies have a pair of prominent compound eyes, a compact thorax bearing two pairs of delicate membranous wings, and a long slender abdomen. They are strong fliers and prey on other insects, either in flight or at rest. The eggs are laid near or in water, and the newly hatched nymphs (naiads) are aquatic and resemble the adults, with rudimentary wings. They breathe through gills and feed on small aquatic animals. The nymph leaves the water for its final moult into the terrestrial adult.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Odonata." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Odonata." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-Odonata.html "Odonata." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-Odonata.html |
|
Odonata
Odonata •barter, Bata, cantata, carter, cassata, charter, chipolata, ciabatta, darter, desiderata, errata, garter, imprimatur, Inkatha, Jakarta, Magna Carta, Maratha, martyr, Odonata, passata, persona non grata, rata, Renata, Río de la Plata, serenata, sonata, Sparta, starter, strata, taramasalata, tartar, Tatar, Zapata
•after, drafter, grafter, hereafter, laughter, rafter, thereafter, whereafter
•chanter, enchanter, granter, planter, supplanter, transplanter, Vedanta
•blaster, caster, castor, faster, grandmaster, headmaster, master, pastor, plaster
•alabaster • telecaster • forecaster
•broadcaster • sportscaster
•newscaster • sandblaster
•bandmaster • taskmaster
•pastmaster • paymaster • ringmaster
•quizmaster • spymaster
•housemaster • Scoutmaster
•toastmaster • schoolmaster
•harbourmaster (US harbormaster)
•quartermaster • substrata
•sought-after
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Odonata." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Odonata." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Odonata.html "Odonata." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Odonata.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
