Odonata biology - an overview

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The Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) form a superficially homogeneous order of insects. The Order is very ancient, and the superficial similarity of the members is largely due to the specialised ecological niche they occupy. All adult odonates are aerial predators, and almost all of them extreme generalists in terms of their prey choice. Larval odonates are obligate predators, and all use a highly modified, extensible labium (lower lip) to attack their prey. Almost all larval Odonata are aquatic and, like the adults, consume a diversity of prey.

General reviews of the biology are to be found in:

• Corbet, P.S. 1962. A biology of dragonflies. Witherby, London
  US edition 1963; reprinted late '80s by Classey.
• Corbet, P.S. 1980. Biology of Odonata. Ann. Rev. Ent. 25: 189-217.
• Miller, P.L. 1987. Dragonflies. CUP
• Larval biology is reviewed by
  Johnson, D.M. 1991. Behavioral ecology of larval dragonflies and damselflies. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 6: 8-13

with shorter reviews in most books dealing with local faunas.