(Odonata) This order includes about 5,900 species spread in all regions of the world. Its insects are somewhat medium to large in size. Their bodies are thin and cylindrical having a metallic luster. Their head moves freely, and they have large compound eyes with three simple eyes and simple filiform antennae, each of which is composed of 3 to 7 segments. Their relatively short thorax carries a pair of transparent, membranous, long and narrow wings. Their abdomen is elongated consisting of ten segments, whereas males have an added plate resulting from an eleventh segment. The metamorphosis type of this insect is incomplete (egg - nymph- complete insect). The nymphs are aquatic and they breathe by caudal gills. The complete insects fly fast and they are predators seizing their prey while flying. They normally live near bodies of water. Nymphs live in water feeding on mosquito larvae and small aquatic insects.
