One of the most prevalent insects flying over forests, fields, meadows, lakes, and streams are dragonflies and damselflies, which are collectively known to as odonates. The number of living species worldwide is about 6,000. With more over 500 species currently known, India is very diversified. One of the oldest groups of insects is the odonata. It first originated along with mayflies during the Carboniferous era, some 250 million years ago (Ephemeroptera). Monsters include up the Odonata group from the Carboniferous period; for instance, Meganeuropsis americana from that time had wingspan of 71 cm, which is almost as long as a pigeon. Ancient insect species like dragonflies and mayflies were some of the first to acquire wings and take to the air. Dragonflies have perfected the art of flight and are still skilled acrobats. The order Odonata is divided into three categories depending on morphology: the Anisozygoptera, the Zygoptera, and the dragonflies (Anisoptera). Epiophlebia laidlawi, one of the two species mostly in suborder Anisozygoptera, is documented from Darjeeling. In the field, dragonflies and damselflies are easily distinguished. Although their morphologies are very different, they have similar overall life histories.