差翅下目（ Anisoptera）源自希臘語 ἄνισος（anisos，意為「不均勻」）和 πτερόν（pteron，意為「翅膀」），因為蜻蜓的後翅比前翅寬。

The name Archaeognatha is derived from the Greek ἀρχαῖος, archaios, meaning 'ancient', and γνάθος, gnathos, meaning 'jaw'. This refers to the articulation of the mandibles, which are different from those of other insects. It is one of the most primitive insects (origin 390 million years ago)

種的俗名 Common names of members

蜻蜓

Dragonflies

分佈 Distribution

除了南極洲外，分布於每個大洲。

Every continent except Antarctica

形態描述 Morphology

體型粗壯

復眼在頭頂相接

後翅比前翅寬

停息時翅膀平展並遠離身體

Chunky bodies

Compound eyes meet at the top of the head

Hindwing is broader than forewing

Wings held flat and away from the body when resting

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

淡水棲息地，如酸性泥炭沼澤、池塘、湖泊和河流。

Freshwater habitats such as acidic bogs, ponds, lakes, and rivers

食性 Diet

幼蟲時期食用血蟲、其他昆蟲幼蟲、蝌蚪和小魚；成蟲時期食用飛行昆蟲，特別是蚊子和雙翅目昆蟲。

Bloodworm, other insects larvae, tadpoles, small fish (nymph); flying insects, especially mosquitoes and true flies(adult)

小知識 Fun Fact

蜻蜓擁有卓越的視力，其復眼幾乎有24,000個眼小體（六邊形的光感受器細胞單位）。據說它們的視力對人類而言就像慢動作，因為它們能以每秒約200幀的速度捕捉影像。蜻蜓還能以360度的視野觀察，只有一個盲點在其背後，並且幾乎80%的大腦專注於視覺。

Dragonflies have excellent vision and their compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia (hexagonal units of clustered photoreceptor cells). Their vision is thought to be like slow motion for humans since they can see faster than us, seeing around 200 images per second. Dragonflies can also see in 360 degrees with only one blindspot directly behind them and nearly 80% of their brain is dedicated to their sight.

已知的物種 Total species known

3,000

博物館收藏的物種 Species in the collection

在香港已知的物種 Species in Hong Kong

100

Reference

• Anisoptera Selys, 1854 in Döring M (2022). English Wikipedia - Species Pages. Wikimedia Foundation. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/c3kkgh accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-11-15.

• Freshwater Macroinvertebrates in Hong Kong. (2014). Biosch.hku.hk. https://www.biosch.hku.hk/ecology/staffhp/dd/macroinvertebrates/Odonata/odonata.html#:~:text=The%20total%20number%20of%20odonate,the%20suborder%20Zygoptera%20(damselflies). 

• Gordh, G.; Headrick, D. (2011). A dictionary of entomology (2nd ed.). CABI Books. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-1-84593-542-9.

• The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024, November 11). Dragonfly | Description, anatomy, habitat, life cycle, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/dragonfly 

• Shida, S., Ishida, K., Kojima, K. Sugimura, M. (1988) Illustrated guide for identification of the Japanese Odonata. Tokyo University Press, 328pp.

• Soltesz, K. (1996) Identification Keys to Northeastern Anisoptera Larvae. Workshops on Invertebrate Biodiversity: Dragonflies and DamselfliesTheischinger, G. and Hawking, J. (2009) Identification guide to the Australian Odonata. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW, 283pp.

• Theischinger, G. and Endersby, I. (2014) Australian Dragonfly (Odonata) Larvae: Descriptive history and identification. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 72: 73–120.

• Kawai, T. (1992) An illustrated Book of Aquatic Insects of Japan. Tokyo University Press, 409pp.

• Wilson, K.D.P. (1995) Hong Kong Dragonflies. Urban Council, Hong Kong, 211pp.

• Wilson, K.D.P. (1995) The Gomphid dragonflies of Hong Kong, with descriptions of two new species (Anisoptera: Gomphidae). Odonatologica 24(3): 319-340.

• Yeh, W-C. & Lien, J-C. (1995) Proven distribution of Nannophyopsis clara in Taiwan and morphological description of the ultimate instar larva. Tombo XXXVIII 1995 Tokyo: 24-26.