Among the Odonata there is an amazing amount of variation, both in their life histories and their activities. These fascinating insects which fly around your pond for a short period are much older than you might think. Most of them have spent a much longer period of time as important aquatic predators. Mating Appendages that can be seen at the end of abdomen of the male are designed to lock into species-specific grooves and notches on the female in order to secure the two together for mating. The features on female dragonflies may be on the head alone or on the head and the front segment of the thorax.
Female damselflies have features on the front segment of the thorax.
Male and female dragonflies tend to wed in the air, sometimes with an audible impact. Damselflies become hitched together more quietly, often coming together on vegetation. The mating formation is called a wheel. From the side, damselfly pairs appear sort of heart-shaped. Damselflies usually land to mate.