Premium Services      Damselflies (Chromagrion conditum) (figs. 1–3) and (Argia fumipennis violacea) (figs. 4 & 5) Color reproduction of illustration by L. H. Joutel From: James G. Needham, et al., Aquatic Insects in New York State: A Study Conducted at the Entomological Field Station, Ithaca, N.Y. ... New York State Museum Bulletin, no. 68 (Albany: University of the State of New York, 1903) NYPL, General Research Division

Colorful damselflies, sometimes called "darning needles" because of their long, thin abdomens, inhabit the margins of freshwater brooks, ponds, and lakes, where they prey on small flying insects but do not, as some people fear, sting or bite humans. The eggs, deposited by the females on the water, sink to the bottom, where they hatch into totally aquatic and rapacious nymphs or naiads (figs. 3 & 5) that prey on aquatic insects and on tiny crustaceans and fish.

James G. Needham (1868–1956) published many studies on general and aquatic biology, zoology, farming, and entomology, several of which were monographs written for the New York State Museum Bulletin.