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Few insects can match the jewel-like colours of the dragonflies
and damselflies which enliven the Gardens during the summer months.
Their vivid adult lives are all too short, lasting a few months
at most. In contrast their larval stage may take up to five years
in some species and is spent underwater.
Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the same insect order, Odonata,
and are easy to distinguish despite their similarities.
The damselflies are smaller and altogether more slender than the
dragonflies. At rest they close their wings and fold them back over
their abdomens. The dragonflies are much chunkier in appearance
and hold their wings open at right angles to their abdomens when
at rest.
Five species of damselfly and nine of dragonfly have been recorded
at Kew in recent year. Most breed in the Gardens but numbers are
also augmented by migrants. Sit and watch for a selection from the
following list at the Waterlily Pond, Lake or Aquatic Garden from
mid-May to September.
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