Dragonflies and damselflies – ancient flyers worldriv-adm 6 years ago Odonata, the dragonflies and damselflies are large flying insects, living near the rivers and their backwaters. These beautiful flyers have fascinating life cycle, living in the water as larvae and airborne a adults. Related posts: The Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) – dweller of the steep river banks The common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) the bee-eater – the colorful bird from the steep river banks