Which dragonfly family is commonly described as having a short thorax and broad wings, and is often found near streams preying on mosquitoes?

Which dragonfly family is commonly described as having a short thorax and broad wings, and is often found near streams preying on mosquitoes?

• A. Libellulidae
• B. Coenagrionidae
• C. Gomphidae
• D. Aeshnidae

Answer: (A)

Libellulidae, the skimmers, are the dragonfly family described by a stout body with a relatively short thorax and broad, broad-set wings. This broad-wing, stocky look is a good match for the image of a dragonfly patrolling streams and snatching small insects like mosquitoes. Damselflies in Coenagrionidae have slender bodies and narrow wings held together; Gomphidae have a clubbed abdomen and widely separated eyes; Aeshnidae are large, with longer bodies and a different wing/eye pattern. So the described combination of short thorax and broad wings near streams preying on mosquitoes fits Libellulidae best.

Libellulidae, the skimmers, are the dragonfly family described by a stout body with a relatively short thorax and broad, broad-set wings. This broad-wing, stocky look is a good match for the image of a dragonfly patrolling streams and snatching small insects like mosquitoes. Damselflies in Coenagrionidae have slender bodies and narrow wings held together; Gomphidae have a clubbed abdomen and widely separated eyes; Aeshnidae are large, with longer bodies and a different wing/eye pattern. So the described combination of short thorax and broad wings near streams preying on mosquitoes fits Libellulidae best.