Odonatoptera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids OdonatopteraTemporal range: 318–0 mya Upper Carboniferous – Recent
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| The giant griffinfly Meganeura monyi lived some 300 million years ago. It was as large as a crow. | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Division: | Palaeoptera |
| Superorder: | Odonatoptera Martynov, 1932 |
The Odonatoptera are a big group of very old flying insects. This group includes all kinds of dragonflies and damselflies. Today, dragonflies and damselflies are the only living members of this ancient insect family.
What are Odonatoptera?
Odonatoptera is a scientific name for a special group of insects. These insects are known for their strong wings and amazing flying skills. They are part of an even older group called the Palaeoptera. This means they have wings that cannot fold flat over their bodies, unlike most other insects.
Ancient Giants
Long, long ago, during a time called the Paleozoic Era, the Odonatoptera group was much more diverse. It had many more types of insects than it does today. Some of these ancient insects were truly enormous!
One famous example is the griffinfly, also known as a "giant dragonfly." These huge insects belonged to an order called Protodonata. Imagine a dragonfly as big as a crow! The Meganeura monyi was one of these giants. It lived about 300 million years ago.
A Long History
The first Odonatoptera insects appeared a very long time ago. Scientists have found fossils that show they existed at least 320 million years ago. This was during a period known as the Pennsylvanian Period. This makes them one of the oldest groups of flying insects on Earth.
Today, you can still see their relatives, the dragonflies and damselflies, flying around ponds and rivers. They are living examples of a very successful and ancient insect lineage.
