Dragonfly Nymph

colour photo of a small underwater insect with 6 legs on a red surface

Dragonfly Nymph

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Odonata

Dragonfly nymphs are the immature life stage of dragonflies. Unlike adult dragonflies, which are often bright and colorful, dragonfly nymphs are typically drab. Dragonfly nymphs use gills inside their abdomens to breath. Not only are dragonfly nymphs able to breathe by drawing water into their butt, they’re also able to propel themselves forward quickly by forcefully pushing water out of their butt! Dragonfly nymph jaws are flexible and quickly extend out to catch prey.