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Introduction to the Odonata
The insect order Odonata - the dragonflies and damselflies - are predators both as adults and as larvae. The larvae are generally aquatic. The adults are slender and fast-flying, hunting by sight and catching their prey on the wing. Most species are 30-90 mm long, but the largest are more than 150mm long and the smallest are less than 20 mm. Adults have two equal or subequal pairs of membranous, non-coupled wings, minute antennae, and large, conspicuous compound eyes. Both adults and larvae are adaptable and complex in their behaviour. For a more general description of the biology and attributes of dragonflies and damselflies, see the Odonata section of the Tree Of Life project.
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