Damselfly (Odonata)

GRI #579

Damselflies are classified with dragonflies (order Odonata), but differ from them in several ways. They fold their wings at rest, whereas dragonflies spread their wings at rest. This difference results from the way wings attach to the thorax and can favor fossilization of damselflies with wings held together over their body, as seen in this specimen. Damselflies are much weaker fliers than dragonflies, and are usually smaller. Like dragonflies, they are predatory, both as immatures (nymphs) and adults, feeding on other insects. Both groups live near wetlands. The preservation of fine details, such as wing venation in this specimen, exemplifies the exceptional taphonomic conditions documented in the Green River fossils. At least 15 genera of damselflies have been reported from the Green River Formation (Bechly et al., 2021).

Reference

Bechly, G., Garrouste, R., Aase, A., Karr, J.A., Grande, L. and Nel, A., 2021. The damselfly palaeofauna from the Eocene of Wyoming and Colorado, USA (Insecta, Odonata, Zygoptera). Papers in Palaeontology, 7(3), pp.1373-1402. doi:10.1002/spp2.1346.