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dragonfly
dragonfly any insect of the order Odonata, which also includes the damselfly. Members of this order are generally large predatory insects and characteristically have chewing mouthparts and four membranous, net-veined wings; they undergo complete metamorphosis . Species are found throughout the world except in the polar regions; the greatest variety occurs in the tropics. Dragonflies, which are commonly called horse stingers and devil's darning needles, are strong fliers with elongated bodies; they rest with their wings outstretched. Some are 5 in. (12.7 cm) long. Damselflies are smaller, with slender, often brilliantly colored, bodies and rest with their wings folded back. Both lay eggs on or near water. The nymphs are aquatic and breathe by means of gills located at the end of the abdomen; the gills can also be used for propulsion through the water. The nymphs feed on insect larvae and are an important food for fish and birds. When grown, they crawl up out of the water and molt. Most species produce a single generation each year, with the nymph stage usually overwintering. Both nymphs and adults prey on mosquitoes and other insects and are harmless, indeed beneficial, to humans. Fossil remains of a form from the Permian period, with a wingspread of 2 1/2 ft (76 cm), were found in Kansas. Dragonflies are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Odonata. |
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"dragonfly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragonfly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dragonfl.html "dragonfly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-dragonfl.html |
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Dragonflies
DragonfliesOrder: Odonata Suborder: Anisoptera Life Cycle: incomplete Three Life Stages: egg, nymph, and adult Life Span: anywhere from 2-4 years Nymph
Body Description Antennae: 2 very small Eyes: 2 very large compound eyes that almost touch each other and make the head look small Mouth: (lower lip) able to reach out to grasp or seize prey, under the thorax and head Tail: none Wings: pads Gills: no outer surface Legs: 6, spider like and tightly based Abdomen: very wide, thick and compressed Body Colors: camouflage to environment, mottled browns, olive & brownish black, shades of yellow Mobility: very active. They crawl, dart, and free swim and hunt for food Adult Body Description Antennae: 2 very small Eyes: 2 very large compound eyes that touch or almost touch each other on top of the head, very dominant Wings: 2 sets, hind wings are wider than forewings, strongly veined glassy wings of equal length. They separate horizontally at rest or in flight, can spread up to 6” Legs: very small held tightly to the thorax Abdomen: long, slender and segmented Tail: none Body Colors: incredible metallic fluorescent shades. Colors vary from bright greens, purples, and clarets, rusty reds, burnt oranges, blues and blacks |
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"Dragonflies." Fly Fishing: The Lifetime Sport. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Dragonflies." Fly Fishing: The Lifetime Sport. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2838800062.html "Dragonflies." Fly Fishing: The Lifetime Sport. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2838800062.html |
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Anisoptera
Anisoptera (dragonflies; class Insecta, order Odonata) One of the three suborders of dragonflies, comprising insects which are generally more robust, and fly more strongly, than those in the other suborders. The anisopteran hind wing has a broader base than the fore wing, both parts being held outspread when the insect is at rest. The larvae are aquatic and robust, with an elaborate system of tracheal gills arranged in longitudinal rows within the rectum. Adults are often brightly coloured, and fly near water. This cosmopolitan suborder has nine families (Aeshnidae, Cordulegasteridae, Corduliidae, Gomphidae, Libellulidae, Macromiidae, Neopetaliidae, Petaluridae, and Synthemidae), containing more than 2500 species.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Anisoptera.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Anisoptera.html |
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dragonfly
dragonfly Swift-flying insect of the order Odonata. It has a long, slender, often brightly coloured abdomen, and two pairs of large membranous wings. Like the damselfly, it mates while flying. The carnivorous nymphs, which hatch from eggs laid on water plants, are aquatic. Wingspan: to 17cm (7in).
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"dragonfly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragonfly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-dragonfly.html "dragonfly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-dragonfly.html |
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dragonfly
drag·on·fly / ˈdragənˌflī/ • n. (pl. -flies) a fast-flying long-bodied predatory insect (suborder Anisoptera, order Odonata) with two pairs of large transparent wings that are spread out sideways at rest. Compare with damselfly. |
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"dragonfly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragonfly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dragonfly.html "dragonfly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dragonfly.html |
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Anisoptera
Anisoptera (mersawa; family Dipterocarpaceae) A genus of large, evergreen trees that yield valuable, usually siliceous, timber. They are native from Assam to New Guinea, and are found in lowland tropical rain forest. There are 11 species.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Anisoptera.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Anisoptera." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Anisoptera.html |
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dragonflies
dragonflies See AESHNIDAE; ANISOPTERA; ANISOZYGOPTERA; CORDULEGASTERIDAE; CORDULIIDAE; EPIOPHLEBIIDAE; GOMPHIDAE; LIBELLULIDAE; MEGANISOPTERA; ODONATA; PETALURIDAE; SYNTHEMIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "dragonflies." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "dragonflies." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-dragonflies.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "dragonflies." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-dragonflies.html |
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dragonflies
dragonflies See Odonata.
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"dragonflies." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragonflies." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-dragonflies.html "dragonflies." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-dragonflies.html |
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dragonfly
dragonfly
•ally, phalli
•Adlai • gadfly • blackfly • damselfly
•sandfly • barfly • mayfly
•Eli, Ely
•greenfly • bacilli • multiply • styli
•whitefly • wall eye • horsefly
•housefly
•alveoli, E. coli, gladioli
•blowfly • lapis lazuli • reguli • stimuli
•flocculi • ranunculi • firefly
•discoboli • astragali • dragonfly
•alkali • Lorelei • Naphtali • butterfly
•hoverfly
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"dragonfly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "dragonfly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-dragonfly.html "dragonfly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-dragonfly.html |
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