Dragonfly
All About Dragonflies and Damselflies
Fast hunters with slender bodies, compound eyes, and strong wings – discover everything about the masters of the skies!
What Are Dragonflies and Damselflies?
Dragonflies and damselflies are insects that typically live near water bodies. They possess four transparent wings and can fly extremely fast and agile. Their larvae reside in water and hunt small creatures there. They are essential beneficial insects as they consume many mosquitoes, thus supporting the ecological balance.
Main Characteristics of Dragonflies and Damselflies
1. Compound Eyes
The eyes of dragonflies and damselflies are known as compound eyes. They are made up of thousands of individual lenses, each capturing separate images. These images are then combined in the brain to form a complete picture. Because the eyes are round and the individual lenses point in all directions, they have a very wide field of vision and can quickly detect movement.
2. Transparent Wings
Dragonflies and damselflies have four transparent wings that they can move independently. This allows them to change direction very quickly. They can even fly backward.
3. Elongated Body
Dragonflies and damselflies have a strikingly slender, elongated body. It resembles a small stick! The narrow body creates less air resistance. This has several advantages: they can maintain better balance, use less energy, and are also more maneuverable.
Dragonfly and Damselfly Family Tree
Amazing Facts About Dragonflies and Damselflies
- There are more than 6,400 species of dragonflies and damselflies.
- There are around 450-471 species in the USA.
- The most common dragonflies in the USA are the globe skimmer, common green darner, common whitetail, black saddlebag, blue dasher and the black-shouldered spinyleg.
- Dragonflies are robust and large, with their front pair of wings being bigger. Their wings are always spread open.
- Damselflies are a also kind of dragonfly.
- Damselflies have slender bodies and pairs of wings that are equal in size. When they rest, they fold their wings upwards.
- Dragonflies can move their wings independently, allowing them to change direction very quickly.
- Dragonflies can even fly backwards.
- Dragonflies are carnivorous.
- As larvae, they primarily feed on mosquito larvae, freshwater shrimp, and tadpoles.
- The adult insects mainly hunt small flying insects.
- Dragonflies spend the majority of their lives as larvae, and as adult dragonflies, they typically live for only 6 to 8 weeks.
- The largest dragonfly is the blue-winged helicopter (Megaloprepus caeruleata), which can reach a body length of up to 4.7 inches (12 cm) and a wingspan of up to 7.5 inches (19.1 cm).
- The smallest dragonfly is Agriocnemis nana, measuring 0.71 inches (18 mm) in body length and having a wingspan of 0.69 inches (17.6 mm).
- The largest known prehistoric insect was a dragonfly (Meganeura monyi) with a wingspan of 25.5 inches (70 cm).
Species List
