The study of dragonflies has always been a Cinderella activity lagging far behind more glamorous invertebrates such as butterflies and moths or economically important species such as mosquitoes, locusts etc.
Dragonflies are carnivorous and therefore indicators at the top of their food chain.
They rely upon pure water conditions and are significant markers of environmental conditions. Perhaps more important, certain species are found only in primary and virgin habitats and are therefore excellent indicators of forest quality and can be used to identify key areas of important biodiversity with strong implications for conservation. The main stumbling block to dragonfly research is as Shakespeare would have put it - an equivocation. Dragonflies have two quite separate life stages. The larvae live in water and are relatively easy to find.