Damselfly fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are damselflies?

Damselflies are insects and close relatives of dragonflies, but most damselflies have slimmer bodies, very widely separated eyes and forewings and hindwings that are similar in shape. Most species rest with their wings folded together above the body, although some groups, such as flatwings, often perch with their wings outspread. Australia has hundreds of dragonfly and damselfly species, and about 100 species from this group occur around Sydney. Common Australian damselflies include the common bluetail, blue riverdamsel and wandering ringtail.

A damselfly.

A wandering ringtail damselfly resting on wetland vegetation.

Where do damselflies live?

Damselflies are closely linked to fresh water because their eggs and young stages develop in water. Nymphs live among aquatic plants, reeds, rocks and leaf litter in still or slow-moving water, while adults perch on nearby vegetation and can sometimes wander away from breeding sites. Damselflies live across Australia wherever suitable freshwater habitat is available. At Field of Mars Reserve, creek lines, wetlands and vegetated waterway edges provide the kind of habitat damselflies use.

Damselflies live in and near aquatic habitats such as Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park.

What do damselflies eat?

Damselflies are carnivores. Adult damselflies hunt tiny flying insects and catch them in the air with their legs. Their aquatic nymphs are also predators and use specialised mouthparts that shoot forward to grab prey such as small freshwater invertebrates.

Adult damselflies feed on small flying insects.

What is the life cycle of a damselfly?

A female damselfly lays eggs in or near water, often in plant material. The eggs hatch into aquatic nymphs that moult many times as they grow. When fully developed, the nymph climbs out of the water onto a stem, rock or leaf and the adult damselfly emerges, leaving behind the final shed exoskeleton, called an exuvia. In many species, the underwater stage lasts much longer than the adult stage.

A damselfly nymph showing the three tail-like gills it uses underwater.

A damselfly emerging from its final nymph exoskeleton beside the water.

What adaptations do damselflies have to help them survive?

Damselflies have large compound eyes that help them detect prey and danger. Their slim bodies and light wings help them move easily through grasses and waterside plants. Most species can perch with the wings folded together above the body, while some groups such as flatwings hold their wings outspread. Damselfly nymphs breathe through three leaf-like gills at the tip of the abdomen and use an extendable lower lip, called a labium, to grab prey underwater.

A common bluetail shows the large eyes, slim body and folded wings that help damselflies survive.

Why are damselflies important?

Damselflies are important predators in freshwater food webs. Adult damselflies catch small flying insects, and their nymphs hunt other aquatic animals. This helps keep insect populations in balance.

Damselflies are also sensitive to changes in freshwater habitats. Seeing damselflies around creeks, ponds and wetlands can be a sign that these habitats still provide the clean water, shelter and breeding places many animals need.

Healthy wetland vegetation provides breeding and hunting habitat for damselflies.

How can you help damselflies?

Damselflies need clean freshwater and water plants to complete their life cycle. Protecting ponds and creeks, leaving reeds and other water-edge plants in place, and avoiding pollution or unnecessary chemical use near waterways all help damselflies and other freshwater animals. Places with still or slow water and native aquatic plants can provide useful habitat for them.

A backyard pond can provide habitat for damselflies and other freshwater animals.

Common damselflies in Field of Mars Reserve and around Sydney

Field of Mars Reserve contains wetland areas and creek lines connected to Buffalo Creek, Strangers Creek and the Lane Cove River catchment. Based on those habitats and the distribution of common NSW and eastern Australian species, the following damselflies are likely to be seen in and around the reserve.

Common bluetail (Ischnura heterosticta)

The common bluetail is a small to medium damselfly found across Australia and usually associated with slow-running or still water. Mature males are bright blue and black.

Blue riverdamsel (Pseudagrion microcephalum)

The blue riverdamsel is a medium-sized species that inhabits both flowing and standing waters, including streams, rivers, ponds and dams.

Wandering ringtail (Austrolestes leda)

The wandering ringtail is a medium-sized damselfly found across eastern Australia. It is associated with standing and slow-flowing water and is often one of the more familiar damselflies in suitable wetland habitats.

Common flatwing (Austroargiolestes icteromelas)

The common flatwing occurs across eastern Australia and is common along creeks, streams and rivers. It is a useful comparison species because it often rests with its wings outspread like a dragonfly rather than folded together.

Related fact sheets

More invertebrate fact sheets

• Invertebrate fact sheets – overview of invertebrates found in Sydney and NSW.
• Insects fact sheet – explains the basic body plan, life cycle and features of insects.
• Dragonflies fact sheet – compare damselflies with their close relatives in the same order, Odonata.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Water habitats fact sheet – shows why ponds, creeks and wetlands are important for eggs and nymphs.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – explains the local bushland, creek and wetland habitats around Field of Mars.

Animals that share this habitat

• Common eastern froglet fact sheet – another small animal that breeds in ponds, wetlands and slow-moving water.
• Striped marsh frog fact sheet – a common Sydney frog found near ponds, creeks and damp bushland.
• Eastern snake-necked turtle fact sheet – a freshwater reptile that lives in wetlands, creeks and ponds.

Food webs and ecological relationships

• Fly fact sheet – many damselflies feed on small flying insects such as flies.
• Mosquito fact sheet – mosquitoes and their larvae are part of freshwater food webs used by predators.

Learn with us

Learning programs

Explore incursions and excursions about freshwater habitats, food webs and animal life cycles.

Learning resources

Find lessons and classroom ideas about insects, wetlands and freshwater life cycles.

Flora and fauna fact sheets

Discover more Australian animals and plants that live in and around creeks, ponds and wetlands.