Being closely related insects, most of the terms used to describe the various body parts are shared between dragonflies and damselflies. Females of all Damselfly species, however, have an ovipositor. Dragonflies are a little more complex in that the females of some species have an ovipositor whilst others have a so-called vulvar scale. Ovipositors are used to inject eggs precisely whereas vulvar scales are used to “throw” eggs rather less precisely.
Using the Migrant Hawker and the Common Darter as models, here is the basic dragonfly body plan annotated. (Click on the diagram to get larger, easier to read version.)
