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Pond Predators

Activity

Dragonflies vs. Damselflies

Dragonflies vs Damselflies! Love and war over the pond! Visit the edges of a pond, lake, creek or river to search for dragonflies and damselflies. Can you tell the difference between the two? Watch their behavior and try to figure out what they are doing?

Science Seed

The order of Odonata, which includes both dragonflies and damselflies, relies on fresh water to lay eggs and complete metamorphosis from egg to larva (nymph) to adult. So, you are likely to find these insects in warm weather near fresh water, such as a pond. Dragonflies rest with their wings open and typically have thicker abdomens (what looks like a tail). While damselflies rest with their wings together and have thinner abdomens. Dragonflies love to eat mosquitos! These insects have interesting behavior to watch and have even been photographed eating butterflies! Dragonflies dart over ponds fighting for mates and territory, mating and laying eggs by flying stuck together and then dipping the female’s abdomen onto the surface of the water to deposit an egg, often while being chased by other males who are competing for the female.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore the Memorial Park Conservancy

The mission of Memorial Park Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by