Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Dragonflies make use of motion camouflage when attacking prey or rivals.
Types of Dragonfly Species
Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under water as the adults are in the air. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in color, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. They have bulging eyes somewhat similar to the adults, but possess a formidable anatomical structure not present in the adult. Called the “mask,” it is a fusion of the larva’s third pair of mouthparts.
Red-veined Darters are highly active fliers, often seen basking on bare ground or stones in sunny areas. The Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) is a vibrant dragonfly found across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, known for its intense red color. They are known for their relaxed, gliding flight and often perch prominently on stems or reeds. Flame Skimmers often perch on exposed branches or rocks, basking in the sun before swiftly catching prey. Black Saddlebags are strong fliers, often seen soaring effortlessly in groups, especially during late summer migrations. They have four different styles of flight, switching between each from time to time.
- They live near ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams, where they hunt for insects.
- The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in color, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live.
- Around midsummer, females hover over bodies of fresh water and dip in their abdomens, laying eggs that hatch in about seven to eight days.
- These insects hunt while flying rather than landing to catch the prey.
Water can be forcibly expelled in this way, resulting in jet propulsion as a means of escape. As the larva grows, it molts, its future wings first becoming apparent about halfway through the larva’s development. Eventually, the larva crawls out of the water (often at night) and molts one last time, emerging as an adult and leaving behind a cast skin (exuvia). The Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) is a sleek, dark dragonfly commonly seen across the eastern United States.
Yellow-winged Darter
The legs, rarely used for walking, assist in perching on a substrate and holding prey. Each leg comprises two short basal joints, two long joints, and a three-jointed foot. The mouthparts are well-adapted for biting and chewing, having a flap-like upper lip (labrum), which they rapidly shoot forward to capture prey.
Dragonflies are predatory, flying insects that belong to the suborder Anisoptera within the order Odonata. The suborder derives its name from the Greek words anisos (unequal) and pteron (wing) since the hindwings of dragonflies are broader than the forewings. In 2021 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the first global assessment of dragonflies as an update to their Red List of Threatened Species. They prefer still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, canals, and ditches, often with plenty of floating vegetation. The Azure Hawker (Aeshna caerulea) is a northern species with vivid blue markings, mostly found in subarctic and alpine habitats. Eastern Pondhawks are fierce predators, catching insects both in the air and on vegetation.
Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens)
In 2009, the first comprehensive assessment of insect species showed that 10 percent of dragonfly species were under threat of extinction. The animals are imperiled by destruction of freshwater habitats—particularly ponds, bogs, and fens—by pollution, and non-native vegetation. Living on every continent but Antarctica, these insects are instantly recognizable by their large bodies; four long, horizontal wings; and the way they hover and zip around. Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour and fly just as gracefully backward by lifting off vertically, helicopter style. Their compound eyes are so large they nearly touch, and each one has about 28,000 single eyes, or ommatidia. Both males and females have a yellow and black striped thorax and a mainly black abdomen with yellow rings.
Disappearing fliers
They prefer to stay low on the ground or vegetation instead of flying above the water to avoid detection. They prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters with rich vegetation; they occupy various regions across the Americas. Unlike other dragonflies, the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly has unique flying abilities, hovering in the air and darting in a straight line. The Twelve-spotted Skimmer is a highly admired species due to its unique and fascinating characteristics. It is easily identifiable by the twelve black spots on each of its four wings, a unique pattern that resembles brushstrokes. Dragonflies belong to the suborder2 Anisoptera within the larger order Odonata.
- They are used in traditional medicine in Japan and China, and caught for food in Indonesia.
- Dragonflies are among the most fascinating insects in the natural world.
- Male Black Saddlebags are black, while the females and young males have a lighter yellow-brown hue.
- The meso- and metathorax are fused into a rigid, box-like structure that provides the attachment points for two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs.
- As the larva grows, it molts, its future wings first becoming apparent about halfway through the larva’s development.
Nymphs propel themselves quickly by sucking water into their abdomen and then spitting it out. They undergo between six and 15 molts before emerging as fully formed adult dragonflies, a process that takes about 12 hours. Adults live only about a month, hunting flies, mosquitos, and midges.
Emily is a passionate nature writer who enjoys exploring the fascinating world of insects. She shares clear, easy-to-read guides to help people understand and appreciate these tiny creatures. Common Hawkers are swift and powerful in flight, often patrolling large areas of open water and occasionally venturing over land. Metallic Pennants often perch upright on plant tips and occasionally hover briefly before darting off after prey. Instead, they glide gracefully over open spaces, especially in fields and clearings, often appearing to dance dragonfly doji meaning in the air.
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Depending on the species, a single clutch can contain up to 1,500 eggs, which typically hatch into aquatic nymphs, or naiads, in about a week. They also breathe through gills in their rectum and propel themselves forward by expelling water through the anus. This body part is largely made up of a pair of compound eyes, each consisting of numerous ommatidia. For instance, the variable darner (Aeshna interrupta) has about ommatidia of two varying sizes, while the giant dragonfly (Petalura gigantea) has around ommatidia of just one size. In addition to the compound eyes, these insects also have three simple eyes (ocelli).
Eyesight
These types of dragonflies are sedentary; most of their life cycle happens in the larval stage, lasting up to two years. They submerge themselves in the waters of marshes, slow-moving streams, or vegetation-rich ponds, where they hunt other aquatic creatures. Males have a blue hue on their abdomens that contrasts with their green bodies, while females have a more subtle green coloration.
Around 7,000 species of true dragonflies are alive today, and, together with the closely related damselflies, they form the group Odonta, which goes back 325 million years. Orange Shadowdragons have a distinctive orange-brown color, where their name originated. Females have a less vibrant shade than males and a unique protruded lower lip that males don’t.
These late-season fliers remain active even as the seasons shift and cooler temperatures set in. Eastern Pondhawks exhibit sexual dimorphism and have an average length of 1.5 to 2 inches. Males have bright blue bodies, while females and juveniles are green. Exploring the various types of dragonflies can offer insights beyond their physical appearance. These insects play a significant role in our ecosystems and possess unique features.