Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans

Female damselflies aren't all blue like the males. Instead, they come in multiple color morphs—some blue, some green, some brownish—to escape male harassment. This color polymorphism is nature's cleverest survival strategy.

Males are fiercely territorial, defending the same water spot for hours and chasing off rivals with acrobatic duels. These nimble hunters feast on tiny flies and gnats, making them perfect pest-control allies. The constant territorial drama reveals that even tiny insects lead intense, complex lives.