Q 01/05

Dragonflies belong to which insect order, shared with damselflies?

A) Diptera

B) Odonata

C) Neuroptera

D) Ephemeroptera

Answer · why

B) Odonata

Diptera are the true flies, Neuroptera the lacewings and Ephemeroptera the mayflies.

Q 02/05

The dragonfly infraorder Anisoptera means 'unequal wings' because of what?

A) Hindwings broader than forewings

B) Left wings longer than right

C) Wings of different colours

D) Forewings longer than hindwings

Answer · why

A) Hindwings broader than forewings

Damselflies, the Zygoptera or 'paired wings', have fore and hind wings of similar shape.

Q 03/05

Roughly how many species of dragonfly exist?

A) About 3,000

B) About 300

C) About 30,000

D) About 800

Answer · why

A) About 3,000

They are classified into 348 genera and 11 families, and most live in the tropics.

Q 04/05

An adult dragonfly's compound eye contains nearly how many facets (ommatidia)?

A) 2,400

B) 240

C) 6,000

D) 24,000

Answer · why

D) 24,000

The eyes meet on top of the head in most families and give complete vision of the frontal hemisphere; there are three simple ocelli too.

Q 05/05

At rest, how does a dragonfly hold its wings, unlike a damselfly?

A) Folded along the abdomen

B) Raised together above the back

C) Tucked under the body

D) Flat and out from the body

Answer · why

D) Flat and out from the body

Damselflies fold theirs along or above the abdomen and have a weaker, fluttery flight and widely separated eyes.

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