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Dragonfly
Dragonflies are insects that have long bodies, transparent wings, and large eyes. There are over
5,000 species of dragonflies that are part of the scientific infraorder called Anisoptera.
What do they look like?
Immature dragonflies have six spindly legs, and a body that is only a few times longer than it is wide.
They have two fairly big eyes. Some of their mouthparts are modified to shoot forward and grab
prey. They breathe water through gills in their abdomen, and can squirt this water out fast to give
themselves a quick jet-propelled movement. Adult dragonflies are easy to recognize. They have long
thin bodies, very large eyes, and they hold their 2 pairs of wings out flat on either side. Their legs
sometimes have many long stiff hairs. Immature dragonflies are usually brown or greenish, and
sometimes have algae growing on them. Adult dragonflies can be very colorful, some are red, blue,
yellow, or green.
Other Physical Features bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism female larger
Where do they live?
Dragonflies are found all over the world. In Michigan there are 114 species
Biogeographic Regions nearctic
native palearctic
native oriental
native ethiopian
native neotropical
native australian
native
What kind of habitat do they need?
Immature dragonflies live in freshwater. They are most abundant an diverse in slow-moving
freshwater that has no fish (small streams and ponds) but can be found in many shallow freshwater
habitats. Adult dragonflies often stay near water, but sometimes travel away from water while
hunting or on migration. They are fast fliers, so they tend to hunt in open areas, not in thick trees or
other vegetation.
These animals are found in the following types of habitat temperate tropical terrestrial freshwater
Terrestrial Biomes taiga desert or dune chaparral forest rainforest scrub forest mountains
Aquatic Biomes lakes and ponds rivers and streams
Wetlands marsh swamp bog
How do they grow?
Dragonflies hatch from eggs in freshwater, and spent at least a few months (sometimes several
years) as aquatic predators. As they grow they molt (shed their whole skin at once) many times.
Once they are big enough, they crawl out of the water and the adult stage emerges from the skin of
the nymph. Once they have transformed into the winged adult stage, the stop growing.
Most dragonfly species spend the winter as nymphs in the water, but some migrate south, and
spend the winter as adults. In few species that lay their eggs in the late summer or fall, the eggs
don't hatch until spring. Dragonflies emerge from the water in the warm months of spring or
summer.
Development - Life Cycle metamorphosis
How long do they live?
Dragonflies live for months at least, and some live for several years as aquatic larvae before
emerging and living for a few months as adults.
How do they behave?
Dragonflies need sunny warm weather to fly, usually the temperature must be over 65°C. If it is too
cold or wet, they hide in vegetation. Adult male dragonflies often establish territories along the
edges of ponds or streams. They only defend the territory against other males of their species. Some
large dragonfly species migrate south to warmer climates at the end of the summer. Their offspring
may then migrate north the following year.
Key Behaviors diurnal motile nomadic migratory solitary territorial
How do they communicate with each other?
Adult dragonflies communicate visually much more than most other insects. Males fight aerial duels
for territory, displaying their size and speed to each other. Mating pairs probably communicate by
touch, possibly chemically too
What do they eat?
Dragonflies in their aquatic stage eat many kinds of small animals: aquatic insects, tadpoles, small
fish, and other invertebrates. Adult dragonflies eat flying insects, especially mosquitoes and other
true flies, but also aphids, smaller dragonflies, damselflies, and just about any other insects they can
grab.
Primary Diet carnivore
eats terrestrial vertebrates eats non-insect arthropods
What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten?
Immature dragonflies avoid predators by hiding, and by jetting away if they have to. Adult
dragonflies avoid predators with their quick and agile flight, and hide in vegetation when it is too
cold to fly.
Known Predators
frogs
fish
large spiders
insect-eating birds
What roles do they have in the ecosystem?
Dragonflies are sometimes the top predators in ponds with no fish. Adult dragonflies help control
populations of mosquitos and other flies.
How do they interact with us?
Dragonflies help control populations of biting flies like mosquitos.
Ways that people benefit from these animals: controls pest population
Are they endangered?
Most dragonfly species are abundant and common, but a few use special habitats as immatures, and
they are at risk because their habitats are in danger.
IUCN Red List [Link]
Not Evaluated
Some more information...
There are some old stories about dragonflies stinging or stabbing people. They are not true.
Dragonflies are totally harmless to people.
Because dragonflies are insects they have 6 legs, a thorax, a head, and an abdomen. The abdomen is
long and segmented. Despite having 6 legs, the dragonfly doesn't walk very well. It is a great flyer,
however. Dragonflies can hover in one place, fly extremely fast, and even fly backwards. They are
some of the fastest flying insects in the world reaching speeds of over 30 miles per hour.
Dragonflies come in a variety of colors including blue, green, yellow, and red. They are some of the
most colorful insects on the planet. They also come in a range of sizes from half an inch long to over
5 inches long.
Where do dragonflies live?
Dragonflies live throughout the world. They like to live in warm climates and near the water.
What do they eat?
One of the best things about dragonflies is that they like to eat mosquitoes and gnats. They are
carnivores and eat all types of other insects too including cicadas, flies, and even other smaller
dragonflies.
To catch their prey, dragonflies create a basket with their legs. They then swoop in capturing their
prey with their legs and biting it to hold it in place. They will often eat what they have caught while
they are still flying.
In order to see predators and their food dragonflies have large compound eyes. These eyes are
made up of thousands of smaller eyes and allow the dragonfly to see in all directions.
Fun Facts About Dragonflies
Dragonflies don't sting and generally don't bite people.
They have been around for 300 million years. Prehistoric dragonflies were much larger and could
have a wingspan of 2 ½ feet!
When first hatched, the larva or nymphs live in the water for around a year. Once they leave the
water and begin to fly, they only live for around a month.
People in Indonesia like to eat them for a snack.
Having a dragonfly land on your head is considered good luck.
They are not really related to common flies.
Groups of dragonflies are called swarms.
Watching dragonflies, similar to bird watching, is called oding which comes from the order
classification odonata.
Predators that eat dragonflies include fish, ducks, birds, and water beetles.
They need to warm up in the sun during the morning before taking off and flying for most of the day.
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Anisoptera/
http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-dragonflies/