Dragon colors: the nature and function of Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) coloration

Adult odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) exhibit a great diversity of colors which vary remarkably between species, between individuals within species, and throughout the individual's lifetime in some species. Here, we provide a summary of what is known about color recognition, and production of color including pigmentary absorption, structural reflectance, and fluorescence, in odonates. We also review the current understanding of the function of color in adult odonates, such as in signals during mate choice, in species recognition, and in predator avoidance, as well as in physiological adaptations to abiotic conditions. Finally, we provide some directions for future research: eye and pterostigma color, coloration at different life stages, UV color, phylogenetic analysis of color evolution, color and hot climate patterns, and standardization of color recordings. Given how easily they can be marked and tracked, odonates are exemplary animals for field and laboratory research. Therefore, unraveling the physiology, evolution, and ecology of odonate color can provide significant advances, in general, to understand insect color.

Automated summary

This article summarizes the knowledge on color recognition and production in adult odonates, as well as the function of color and future research directions. Odonates, being exemplary animals for field and laboratory research, provide significant advancements in understanding insect color.