Meganeura (SciiFii)

The griffinfly (Meganeura leoaquila), also known as the falconfly or inaccurately as the giant dragonfly, is a species of meganisopteran insect that originally lived in what is now North America during the Late Carboniferous as some extinct species of Meganeura and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii. The griffinflies were planned to be featured in several international Paleozoic Parks, but illegal pet trading to private owners throughout the world let them loose, resulting in breeding populations of griffinflies being found all across the tropics, subtropics, and temperate environments. The griffonfly is the world's largest flying insect, even bigger than the dragonflies, with the wingspans ranging from 65 cm (25.6 in) to over 70 cm (28 in) depending on where it lives in. It retains its large size and still flourishes, despite the modern world lower oxygen levels than during the Carboniferous, due to its modified respiratory system more akin to dragonflies than the original species of Meganeura. Like the closely-related dragonflies, the griffinflies are carnivorous predators and prey mainly on other insects, including dragonflies, but can also feed on small fish, frogs, small lizards, small snakes, small birds, small mammals, and, occasionally, carrion of many animals. Despite its gigantic size compared with dragonflies, it is actually completely harmless to humans and prefers to stay away from humans most of its time, although it is a very adaptable insect. It has almost the exact same lifestyles and lifecycle to those of dragonflies. The conservation status of the griffinfly is Least Concern due to its wide range and its ability to tolerate human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.
Category:Animals
Category:SciiFii
Category:Invertebrates
Category:Paleozoic Park