Odonata Reading Passage
Odonata Reading Passage
Paragraph A:
Odonata is the insect order that contains dragonflies and damselflies. Their brilliant colours and delicate-looking wings make them aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. In the wild, though, they are terrifying predators. Dragonflies and damselflies are named for their formidable, serrated jaws, which they employ to rip apart their prey. The word Odonata means “toothed jaw.”
Paragraph B:
Dragonflies and damselflies are frequently mistaken for one another due to their similarity. Close observation reveals the differences between them. The most noticeable distinction is how they hold their wings at rest. Damselflies fold their wings back, whereas dragonflies hold their wings out to the side. Due to their proximity, dragonfly eyes appear to encompass the entire face. There is a gap between the tiny eyes of damselflies. Dragonflies are bigger, stronger, and more capable fliers than damselflies. Consequently, they inhabit forests and areas away from water. Since they do not often fly far from the water, damselflies are typically observed along the margins of ponds and streams.
Paragraph C:
In a pond or stream, dragonflies and damselflies both deposit their eggs on or just beneath the surface of the water. Some species deposit their eggs on the stems of aquatic plants. The hatchlings emerge from the eggs as nymphs. They breathe through their gills and feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles, tiny fish, and even other nymphs. They hunt by lurking at the bottom of a pond or stream and waiting for their victim to swim along. When their prey comes close, they may extend a specialized lip to seize it. Depending on the species, they may exist in this state for months or even years. Several times, as the nymph matures, it sheds its skin. It exits the sea and loses its skin for the final time. The adult emerges, prepared to survive on land and in the air for the next several weeks or months. The adults do not survive more than four months, and many species barely live a few weeks as adults.
Paragraph D:
Dragonflies and damselflies are highly proficient hunters due to their remarkable vision and flying ability. Their specialized eyes provide them with a nearly 360-degree range of vision, allowing them to notice even the tiniest movement or flash of light created by other flying insects. They possess two sets of wings that are capable of moving independently of one another. This provides them with excellent aerial maneuverability, which is essential for these animals since they capture their prey while flying. They are able to hover, execute fast turns, and fly in reverse. Some species of dragonfly may fly at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour. Their prey includes mosquitoes, deer flies, tiny dragonflies, butterflies, and moths. One species of dragonfly is known to remove spiders from their webs.
Paragraph E:
As bloodthirsty predators, dragonflies and damselflies are, in turn, prey for other creatures. Fish, frogs, toads, and other water species consume the nymphs. Adults are preyed upon by birds, frogs, as well as bigger dragonflies and damselflies. They might potentially become entangled in a spider's web. What you give you will receive the same.
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