5-8. Order Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies). Dragonflies can be collected using an aerial net, killed, pinned and spread like butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). However, this method requires a lot of space. Dragonflies are sometimes pinned on the side with the wings held flat together. This method requires less space for the collection. A third method of storing dragonfly adults is to simply put adults in envelopes or “triangles”. Triangles are folded papers with flaps that overlap the edges. Immature stages can be collected and stored like damselfly larvae.

Damselflies can be collected using an aerial net. They can be stored in enveloped or “triangles” (folded papers with flaps that overlap the edges). Relaxed specimens can by pinned and wings spread and like butterflies (Lepidoptera). However, this method requires a lot of space. To save space in collections, damselflies are sometimes pinned on the side with the wings held flat together. A third method of storing damselfly adults is to simply put adults in envelopes or “triangles”. Immature stages can be collected using an aquatic net, dredging algal mats and submerged objects. Immature stages should be preserved in alcohol.

Scanners have been used to depict live dragonflies in a project called Digital Dragonflies: http://www.dragonflies.org