Damselfly Nymph

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Odonata

Damselfly nymphs are the immature life stage of damselflies. Their appearance is similar to dragonfly nymphs, but damselfly nymphs tend to be more slender and have three external gills protruding from the ends of their abdomens. Damselfly nymphs grow by molting. After 10 to 12 molt cycles, damselfly nymphs will crawl out of the water, molt one last time, and emerge as adults. Like dragonfly nymphs, damselfly nymphs are also excellent predators. They use their flexible jaws to grab prey that swim by.