Dragonfly - CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science Dragonfly Petaluridae Unidentified Dragonflies are species of predatory insects belonging to the taxonomic suborder Epiprocta. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes , midges and other small insects like flies , bees , and butterflies . They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae , known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans, though they will bite in order to escape, if grasped by the abdomen. They are valued as predators that help control populations of harmful insects. [1] Contents Anatomy Dragonfly anatomy 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. [2] Reproduction Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis with the female dragonfly typically laying eggs water. They mate in a circular or "wheel" position. The male dragonfly transfers sperm from its primary set of genitalia at the tip of its abdomen to the secondary set at the base of its abdomen. When the male finds a female it grasps it by the top of its head. The female then reaches the tip of her abdomen around to male's penis. Sperm is transferred to the female's ovipositor and the eggs are fertilized. This can be a long process. Because the female can mate more than once, part of the time is spent while the male removes the sperm of other males with specialized organs called hamules. Only then can it be sure that it is his sperm that has fertilized the eggs. Many species remain linked together until the female is finished laying her eggs.

In others, the male hovers nearby to guard the female until she is finished. Dragonflies always perch with their wings flat and spread apart, while Damselflies (close relatives) usually hold their wings together over the body when they are at rest. The exceptions to this rule are the Damselflies known as spreadwings, which keep their wings angled away from their bodies at rest. Dragonflies regulate body temperature by assuming different postures, its a way of holding their bodies, and selecting specific perching sites. In cool weather they land on sun-facing perches. In hot weather they avoid overheating by sticking the abdomen almost straight up in the air to expose the least possible body surface area to the hot sun. [3] Ecology Dragonflies specialize in different kinds of hunting techniques. The larva stage is characterized by three basic strategies. Some stalk their prey in vegetation (climbers). Others lie in the mud and debris at the bottom of a pond and wait for prey (sprawlers). One species burrows itself completely in the mud (burrower). While the prey of the larvae is mostly other aquatic insects, some of the larger nymphs attack tadpoles and small fish. The adult dragonfly is a formidable hunting insect.

Incredibly agile, it uses the basket formed by its legs to catch insects on the fly. It eats mainly mosquitoes, midges, and other small flying insects. Dragonflies eat several different kinds of insects. They catch their prey with their six legs. Their favorite prey are flies and mosquitoes. They are high in protein and very good for the dragonfly. The dragonfly will most likely be hunting on sunny days. If there is a day that the dragonfly needs food, and is not sunny, then it may eat a dead fly or mosquito. [4] Color Males are frequently more brilliant than females and often have different colors and patterns as well. They come not only in red, fuchsia, orange, pink, blue, gold, saffron, black, emerald, maroon, earth tones, and more, but also in metallic colors. Some have colored, spotted or banded wings; others may have clear wings but clubbed abdomens or a spike on their tail. And, no, they do not sting or bite.

They have mouths that they do use to bite their prey (mostly mosquitoes and gnats) The newly emerged adult (commonly referred to as teneral) may take up to 1-2 weeks to develop its full color. [5] Gallery BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Skip directly to main content . Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species 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 Dragonflies are found all over the world.

In Michigan there are 114 species Biogeographic Regions 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 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 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. Contributors Beneficial insects in the garden: #11 Dragonflies Yes (mounted specimen for viewing available in insect collection at County Extension Office) Dragonflies are beautiful to watch as they sweep back and forth over open areas of water, lawns, or parking lots. Their bright colors and powerful flight attract our eye to them. They are hunters, like hawks, with good eyesight and great speed. The Dragonfly has eyes that cover most of the head surface and they can fly at speeds of 20-35 miles per hour. Their prey include mosquitoes and midges as well as moths, butterflies, smaller dragonflies, and other flying insects. Other common names for Dragonflies include mosquito hawks, devil's darning needles and snake doctors. Dragonflies may be confused with their smaller cousins the damselflies.

The most recognizable difference is the flight where the Dragonfly is direct and powerful while the damselfly is fluttery. Also, the damselflyï¿½s abdomen is proportionally longer and its eyes are spaced further apart. Both are in the Order Odonata but the Dragonfly is in suborder Anisoptera of the Insect Kingdom. The adult Dragonfly is focused on feeding and mating. The female returns to a wetland area to meet the male. They mate in flight in a wheel formed by their curved bodies. After mating, the female lays eggs in plants near or in water, directly on the water surface, or on mud at the waterï¿½s edge depending on the species. Predicated upon on environmental conditions and species, eggs may hatch in as few as 7-9 days or may require several months to hatch. After eggs hatch, the young are generally known as immatures. However, some entomologists identify this stage as nymphs. Other entomologists identify them as naiads but this term is becoming archaic. Immature stages feed on aquatic insect larvae such as mosquitoes, tiny fish and tadpoles. Their main predators are fish and frogs.

Again, depending on environmental conditions and species, immatures undergo approximately 10-20 molts, over a time between 3 months and 6-10 years. Immatures then crawl up a vertical plant stem and molt for the final time. The youthful adult fills out its body with fluid and hardens until it can fly. The Dragonfly flies away from the water until it becomes sexually mature. This results in a dispersal where the Dragonfly finds other wetland areas. Perhaps this inherent plan allowed Dragonflies to be one of the most successful creatures on earth. Fossilized remains of large Dragonfly ancestors have been found indicating they were around 300 million years ago. As with many beneficials, providing a suitable habitat is vital to maintaining their populations. Small backyard ponds with some clear surface area, vertical plant stems, and at least partial sun will be colonized by larvae. You may already have Dragonfly nymphs in a water garden in your landscape. On a broader note, maintaining wetlands of all types will keep these valuable insects flying in our landscapes and help provide effective control of insect pests! Beneficials in the Garden & Landscape is an Earth-KindTM program coordinated through Extension Horticulture at Texas A&M University.

Earth-Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment. This web site is maintained by Master Gardener Laura Bellmore, under the direction of William M. Johnson, Ph.D., County Extension Agent-Horticulture & Master Gardener Program Coordinator. All digital photographs are the property of the Galveston County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (GCMGA) 2002-2015 GCMGA - All Rights Reserved. The Meaning of a Dragonfly: What Does a Dragonfly Symbolize? Insects > Dragonflies > Symbolism/ Meaning of a Dragonfly Symbolism/ Meaning of a Dragonfly Swift Winged Skimmer Dragonfly The dragonfly has been a subject of intrigue in every single continent it is found in, and with each civilization, has developed a unique meaning to it, its behavior and its lifestyle. The word Dragonfly and the family it belongs to, Odonata, have evolved from the many myths associated with Dragonflies and their taxonomic cousins, the Damselflies. The word Dragonfly has its source in the myth that Dragonflies were once Dragons.

The family name Odonata comes from the Greek word for tooth as Odonates were believed to have teeth, it is a verified fact now that while they don’t have ‘teeth’ per say, they have strong mandibles that they use to crush their prey. Symbolisms of the Dragonfly • Maturity and a Depth of character The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life. The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life. • Power and Poise The dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise - something that comes only with age and maturity. The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side.

What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively. The awe inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer. If this is not a brazen, lazy, overkill in terms of display of raw power, what is? • Defeat of Self Created Illusions The dragonfly exhibits iridescence both on its wings as well as on its body. Iridescence is the property of an object to show itself in different colors depending on the angle and polarization of light falling on it. This property is seen and believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the realities of life.

The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means self discovery and removal of inhibitions. • Focus on living ‘IN’ the moment The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis. This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly. • The opening of one’s eyes The eyes of the dragonfly are one of the most amazing and awe inspiring sights.

Given almost 80% of the insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight and the fact that it can see in all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self. It also in a manner of speaking symbolizes a man/woman’s rising from materialism to be able to see beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own minds. The Tall Tales and the short stories What can one say, for a harmless insect that does not bite, does not sew snakes’ wounds, and definitely does not measure human souls for good and evil, there have been a wide variety of myths and mythology associated with the life and the existence of the dragonfly. But before we go down to the lore by location, one very striking aspect comes to mind. Change. In many regions and as a norm of this day, the dragonfly is considered to be an agent of change and presumably symbolic of a sense of self realization. Self realization from how the dragonfly uses its power to control its movements and so elegantly.

And change and evolution is all about the dragonfly’s ability to fly and the way it can be comfortable on water, land as well as the air. Asia and America Let’s start with something nice. To the Japanese, it symbolizes summer and autumn and am admired and respected all over, so much so that the Samurai use it as a symbol of power, agility and best of all, Victory. In China, people associate the dragonfly with prosperity, harmony and as a good luck charm. Amongst Native Americans, it is a sign of happiness, speed and purity. Purity because the dragonfly eats from the wind itself Europe and subsequently Australia Beginning from calling the dragonfly, the witches’ animal, and that Satan sent it on earth to cause chaos and confusion, to calling it, Ear Cutter, Devil’s Needle, Adderbolt and worst of all, Horse Stinger, which soon spread Down Under, when the British colonized Australia. The name Horse Stinger comes from the misinformed observation that horses that were kicking and stamping around usually had a few dragonflies hovering around them. Fact remains though, that the dragonflies could well have been helping the horse by eating some of the parasitic insects that were doing the actual ‘horse stinging’.

Well, the Welsh call the dragonfly the snake’s servant and think they follow snakes and stitch up their wounds…and continuing with the misnomers, they are called eye pokers and eye snatchers in Portugal. In Sweden, folklore suggests that we dragonflies come around to check for bad souls - to weigh souls to be more ‘accurate’ and elsewhere, believed to sneak up to children who tell lies and also adults who curse and scold, to stitch up their eyes, mouth, and ears respectively. For a species of insects that have inhabited our planet for almost 300 million years, it is only natural perhaps that they have such a wide and varied perception amongst various civilizations. Dragonflies - Facts, Information & Pictures Image Source A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order ‘Odonata’. Dragonflies are are not actually a fly even though they both have six legs and three body parts, head, thorax and abdomen. The main difference between them is that flies only have two wings whereas dragonflies have four wings. Dragonflies are sometimes confused with Damselflies.

Even though they are both members of the same order, they have slight differences whereby when resting, damselflies hold their wings together, a dragonfly holds its wings horizontally or slightly down and forward and their hindwings are broader near the base. The eyes on a damselfly are separated, in most dragonflies the eyes touch. However, being in the same order makes their life cycles quite similar. The Dragonfly name comes from their fierce jaws, which they use to catch their prey. Dragonfly Characteristics A Dragonfly has two large compound eyes which take up most of its head. Dragonflies have long, delicate, membranous wings which are transparent and some have light yellow colouring near the tips. Their bodies are long and slender and they have a short antennae. Dragonflies are very colourful, for example the Green Darner Dargonfly has a green thorax and a blue segmented abdomen. Some are red like the Comet Darner and yellow like the Emerald Darner. Dragonflies breath through spiracles which are tiny holes located on their abdomen. They can beat each pair of wings together or separately and their rear wings can be out of phase with the front wings. Their wing beat is around 50 – 90 beats per second.

ADVERTISEMENT Dragonflies have complicated neck muscles which allow them to tilt their head sideways 180 degrees, back 70 degrees and down 40 degrees. Dragonflies can hover in mid air and then rapidly accelerate. Traveling at almost 30 miles per hour, dragonflies are the fastest insects in the UK. Dragonfly Diet and Vision All dragonflies are carnivorous in both the larval and adult stages of their lives. Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, midges and other small insects like flies, bees and butterflies, catching its prey while it is flying. A Dragonflies ability to manoeuvre in many directions makes them able to out-fly their prey. Dragonflies also have the advantage of excellent eyesight. Each of their two large eyes is made up of thousands of six-sided units. Together, these smaller eyes enable a dragonfly to detect even the slightest movement. They have large optic brain lobes and 80% of their mental processes are devoted to vision and they can detect colour, ultraviolet light and polarization. Dragonfly Habitats Dragonflies are usually found around water such as lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as ‘nymphs’, are aquatic.

Dragonfly Reproduction A dragonfly undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, often on floating or emergent plants. When laying eggs, some species will submerge themselves completely in order to lay their eggs on a suitable surface. After about two weeks, the eggs hatch and an immature dragonfly, or nymph, emerges. The nymphs are not as attractive as the adults. They have tiny wings and a large lower lip, which they use to catch their prey (often mosquito larvae). See the slideshow below of the Dragonfly metamorphosis process courtesy of Christine Gamble who captured the Dragonfly emerging from its larvae. 7th slide | 8th slide | 9th slide | 10th slide | 11th slide | 12th slide Dragonfly nymphs live in the water. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin). Nymphs of some species may take as long as three years to mature. Most of a dragonflys life is spent in the larval stage beneath the waters surface, using internal gills to breathe and using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles and fish.

The life span ranges from about 6 months to over 7 years (most of it is spent in the nymph stage – the adult lives for only a few weeks). When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant at night. Exposure to air causes the larvae to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, waits for the sun to rise, pumps up its wings and flies off to feed on midges and flies. Dragonflies and Humans Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans, although they will bite in order to escape, if grasped by the abdomen. They are valued as predators that help control populations of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes. Dragonflies are one of several insects commonly referred to as ‘mosquito hawks’ in North America. Dragonfly History The oldest known species of dragonfly is the 320 million year old (Delitzschala bitterfeldensis). Another is ‘Namurotypus’ an extinct genus of dragonfly. Dragonflies are ancient insects. They were around before the dinosaurs.

Ancient dragonflies may have been considerably larger than those we see today. A fossilized impression of a dragonfly wing, found in a coal mine in England, is the oldest known dragonfly specimen. This dragonfly lived 320 million years ago and had a wingspan of 8 inches. The largest known dragonfly had a wingspan of 24 inches (two feet). Today, the largest dragonfly is found in South America and has a wingspan of slightly over seven inches. Other than being smaller, modern-day dragonflies do not look very different from their ancestors. Dragonfly Conservation Fifty years ago there were twice as many ponds in Britain as there are today. The draining of agricultural land, filling in and pollution have all contributed to the disappearance of most countryside ponds. Canals have also suffered from pollution, especially by chemicals used on farmland draining into water. The loss of suitable fresh water habitats has affected dragonflies enormously and they are becoming increasingly rare. The Norfolk aeshna, Aeshna isosceles, which can be found living only in the Norfolk Broads, is on the list of Britains endangered species of insects.

Helping Dragonflies Garden ponds have become very popular over recent years and these are helping to save Britains threatened pond-life including dragonflies. Creating a pond habitat in your garden at home, or in your school grounds, is a practical and worthwhile conservation project. What Do Dragonflies Eat? 7 FAQs That You Want to Know About Dragonflies - EnkiVillage FAQs for Dragonflies Most people are unlikely to ask you which insects you like, but if they did, it probably only takes seconds to list them. With the exception of entomologists, most people only like a few insects, the harmless and pretty ones, including ladybugs, butterflies, and dragonflies. Despite their popularity, most people aren't able to answer the question "what do dragonflies eat?" These insects are predators and both adults and nymphs (those who live in water) mostly eat other insects they hunt. What Do Dragonflies Eat? When answering the question "what do dragonflies eat?" it is important to consider the different kinds of dragonflies. Adult dragonflies are fully grown while dragonfly nymphs are younger and live in the water. Although both are predators, they have slightly different diets.

Adult Dragonflies Adult dragonflies will eat any insect as long as they are able to catch it. While they usually eat mosquitoes and midges, they also eat butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, flies, and even other dragonflies. The general rule is that larger dragonflies will eat insects of body weight daily. To catch their food, most dragonflies will capture prey while it is flying. They are able to fly backwards, hover in place, turn in tight spots, and accelerate instantly, and each of these abilities helps them catch prey. Dragonflies can create a type of basket with their legs that let them scoop up a bug and put it in their mouth without taking a break. Other dragonflies simply open their mouths to swallow food as they fly. Yet other dragonflies glean their food, which means they catch the insects that perch above plant stems and leaves. Immature adults will eat caterpillars which hang from the trees. The following video shows how dragonflies hunt: Dragonfly Nymphs Dragonfly nymphs live in the water and they usually wait on aquatic vegetation for their prey. When an insect gets close enough, the dragonfly unfurls their labium, instantly thrusting it forward and grabbing the insect with palpi.

The larger dragonfly nymphs may eat small fish or tadpoles as well. FAQs for Dragonflies People who wonder "what do dragonflies eat?" also have other questions about these flying insects. Here are answers to some of the most common questions. 1 Why Are They Called Dragonflies? The first reference to these insects as dragonflies was in "Sylva Sylvarum: or a Natural Historie in Ten Centuries" by Francis Bacon. This book included various speculations, observations, experiments, analytic discussions, and ancient teachings on everything. There were ten chapters in the book with each containing a hundred items. The book, which was the first to use the term "dragon-fly" was published in 1626. Before this book, dragonflies had also been known as Devil's Darning Needle, Horse Stinger, Devil's riding Horse, Snake Doctor, and Adder Bolt. 2 Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting? It is common to ask two related questions, specifically "do dragonflies bite?" and "do dragonflies sting?" The short answer to this question is that no, dragonflies will not bite or sting.

Occasionally a large dragonfly may try to bite if you hold it, but it will not break the skin. The protuberances that look like stingers are actually egg-laying tubes and dragonflies don't bite people. 3 How Long Do Dragonflies Live? The shortest amount of time that a dragonfly's life cycle will last is around six months, but larger dragonflies can easily live six or seven years. A dragonfly's life is beginning in their larval form in which they live under the surface of the water and catch other invertebrates. Small damselflies may live several weeks as adults that free-fly while large ones may remain in this stage for around four months. Despite this, larger dragonflies are rarely in this stage for over two months with damselflies only being there for two weeks at the most. It is common for dragonflies to die from predation, starvation, or accidents. 4 What Enemies Do Dragonflies Have? As with any insect, dragonflies have several enemies. Birds (including hobbies and wagtails), spiders, and frogs all eat dragonflies as part of their diet.

In addition, larger dragonflies may also eat smaller ones, as mentioned earlier, meaning that a larger dragonfly would be the enemy of a small damselfly. When dragonflies are living underwater during their larval stage, their enemies include kingfishers, newts, toads, frogs, fish, and other aquatic invertebrates. 5 How Fast Do They Fly? The speed of a dragonfly will depend on the exact type as well as their size. Large types of dragonflies can fly about 25 to 30 miles per hour (10 to 15 meters a second). Despite this maximum speed, they are more likely to have an average speed of 10 miles per hour. The general rule is that smaller dragonflies will fly more slowly and this includes damselflies. Medium-sized dragonflies, on the other hand, are frequently able to fly as fast as larger ones despite their slightly smaller size. 6 How Good Are Dragonflies' Eyes? Dragonflies have excellent vision and rely on this vision in order to find and then catch small insects in mid-air, as mentioned earlier.

As with most insects, dragonflies have compound eyes and this means that each eye has several thousand facets, each of which is individual and contains its own tiny lens. Each of these individual lenses is low resolution, but when each lens and facet works together, they are able to create a high resolution image. In fact, the large number of facets allows for vision that tops that of most other insects. In addition to using their excellent eyesight for hunting, dragonflies also rely on it to find potential mates and avoid predators. ANY IDEAS ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Please Log In or add your name and email to post the comment. NAME: EENY355/IN632: Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) Seth Bybee 2 Introduction The order Odonata contains the dragonflies and damselflies and is one of the most popular insect groups. Odonates are popular with both the amateur and professional because they are large, colorful, easily observable and have exceptionally charismatic behaviors. In recent years dragonflies in particular have been popular with birders as many dragonflies rival birds in wingspan, color, gregariousness, and predictability.

As a result of their popularity with the public, they have become the focus of many conservation efforts in North America, Europe, and Asia. Odonata was until recently composed of three suborders: Anisoptera, commonly known as dragonflies; Zygoptera, commonly known as damselflies; and Anisozyoptera, as the name denotes, a morphological composite of the previous two suborders. However, the suborder Anisozygoptera has been abandoned, as current research shows that Anisozygoptera is not a natural group, and is paraphyletic (Rhen 2003, Lohman 1996). Thus, the group has been combined with the suborder Anisoptera, which does form a natural group in a new suborder called Epiprocta (Bechly 1996). To facilitate the discussion of North American odonates it is useful to use the names Zygoptera and Anisoptera when discussing differences between the damselflies and dragonflies, as there are no extant Anisozygoptera in North America.

Dragonflies (Anisoptera) make up the more specious of the two suborders and are much more easily observed than their dainty relatives, the damselflies. They have large eyes that take up nearly the entire head surface and when not contiguous are not as widely separated as within the damselflies (see the key below). They also have a very robust body structure to support a massive musculature that propels their large, broad wings. Dragonflies are unmatched as fliers and have a very agile, deliberate flight. Males are often territorial, defending oviposition sites from other males. Figure 1. Dorsal view of an adult dragonfly from the family Libellulidae. Credit: Seth Bybee, University of Florida [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] There are six families of dragonflies found in Florida, each of which is easily identifiable. These insects are commonly found around ponds and open bodies of fresh water and large blacktop parking lots (perhaps parking lots resemble open bodies of water to odonates where they search for prey and mates). There are a number of species that disperse away from water for a time before returning with a mate to breed and deposit eggs.

Damselflies (Zygoptera) comprise the more morphologically diverse suborder of odonates. In North America and particularly in Florida they have similar characteristics, which are: eyes separated by more than the width of a single eye, abdomen much longer than wings, very slim body structure and a simple fluttering flight. Damselflies can often be quite spectacular in color such as the ebony jewelwing damselfly, Calopteryx maculata, found throughout the eastern United States and Florida wherever there are slow flowing, shaded wooded streams. Figure 2. Dorsal view of an adult Calopteryx maculata, a damselfly. The species is in the family Calopterygidae. This image shows one of two general wing forms found within damselflies in Florida. Credit: Seth Bybee, University of Florida [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Figure 3. Dorsal view of an adult damselfly from the family Coenagrionidae. This image shows one of two general wing forms found within damselflies in Florida. Credit: Seth Bybee, University of Florida [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Away from the forest habitat one can find other families of damselflies.

One of the most commonly encountered families is Coenagrionidae, which can be observed just about anywhere along the edges of water systems. A less common family of damselflies is Lestidae. This group is readily identifiable in the field by their behavior of perching with their wings held open, a characteristic more common to dragonflies than damselflies. Distribution Odonates are found on every continent except for Antarctica. In particular, the majority of the families that comprise Anisoptera are broadly distributed throughout the world. Some species of dragonfly have vast distributions such as the blue-eyed darner, Rhinoaeschna multicolor, which is found from coast to coast in North America, in addition to Central and South America. In contrast, many families of damselflies are narrowly restricted and several families have an extremely limited distribution.

Florida is home to more than a 150 species of odonates belonging to three families of damselflies: Calopterygidae, Coenagionidae, and Lestidae (Daigle 1991) and six families of dragonflies: Aeshnidae, Cordulegastridae, Corduliidae, Gomphidae, Libellulidae, and Petaluridae (Daigle 1992). They can be seen near any body of water or running stream, often sitting in sunspots breaking through the forest canopy along a river or pond, or patrolling the water's edge. Some species can be found in open fields far away from water while searching for prey or while migrating. Description Eggs: Odonate eggs display a large array of shapes, from those that resemble tiny rice grains to minute mangos. Odonates oviposit in three ways: endophytic (within a plant), epiphytic (on the surface of the plant), and exophytic (on water or land) (Corbet 1999).

Generally, eggs oviposited endophytically are several times longer than wide while those laid epiphytically and exophytically are ellipsoidal to subspherical (Corbet 1999). Clutch sizes can be as large as 1500, with some females depositing several thousand eggs in a lifetime (Corbet 1999). Eggs hatch seven to eight days after oviposition but hatching can be postponed for up to 80 days (Miller 1992) and in one case 360 days (Sternberg 1990). Immature odonates (naiads): Immature odonates are sometimes referred to as larvae or nymphs, but here will be referred to as naiads because odonates are aquatic hemimetabolous (lacking a pupal stage) insects as immatures. Naiads live in most aquatic habitats. Some can even survive in salt water (Corbet 1999). All naiads are voracious predators feeding on everything from small invertebrates such as mosquito larvae to smaller vertebrates such as fish and frogs. Figure 4.

Frontal view of an dragonfly naiad from the family Macromiidae. This image shows the general form of dragonfly naiads. Credit: Seth Bybee, University of Florida [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Figure 5. Dorsal view of an damselfly naiad from the family Calopterygidae. This image shows the general form of damselfly naiads. Credit: Seth Bybee, University of Florida [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Naiads will molt nine to 17 times before becoming adults (Corbet 1999). The number of generations per year depends on the species of odonate. Species at higher altitudes or in dry environments usually have one generation per year while those in tropical habitats may undergo multiple generations per year depending on the availability of appropriate habitats. When naiads are ready for their final molt they leave the water and crawl onto the bank or vegetation where they will molt into adults. Much like a caterpillar emerging from a chrysalis, they need to pump up their wings and allow their bodies to harden before they can be effective fliers. A newly emerged odonate is teneral (soft).

A teneral dragonfly has glossy wings and the colors on the body are often pale. Several days after emerging and hardening completely, a dragonfly will have taken on the colors of an adult dragonfly. Adults: Identifying males and females is not difficult. Males will have what appears to be a pouch on the second and third abdominal segments that contains secondary genitalia. The actual male genitalia are found on the last abdominal segments along with a grasping structure used to hold the female while mating. The male produces sperm at the tip of the abdomen and transfers this sperm to the secondary genitalia where the female will have access to it. Females do not have secondary genitalia or grasping structures at the end of the abdomen but instead have a single genital opening and a small ovipositor at the end of the abdomen that will be used to oviposit her eggs (see above for types of oviposition). Normally, the male dragonfly is more colorful while the female will be a dull brown or grey. This is not true for all odonates.

For example, both sexes of Calopteryx maculata are very similar in coloration with the exception of the female having a white pterostigma while the male does not. When odonates mate they form what is called a "mating wheel." The wheel is formed when the male grasps the female behind the head and the female raises the tip of her abdomen forward to come in contact with the secondary genitalia of the male. Odonates can often be seen flying in tandem in this fashion. Adult Key to the Odonate Families of Florida 1'. Head round in dorsal view, with eyes touching and making up the majority of the head area . If eyes not touching they are NOT separated by more than the width of an eye . Wing venation and wing shape in fore and hind wings NOT similar . . . . . . 4 (suborder Anisoptera) 2(1.) Wings broad with heavy venation and several antenodal crossveins. Wings may be entirely dark or have a red spot at the base of the wing. Larger damselflies found in the forest or shaded areas along running streams. . . . . . Calopterygidae 2'.

Wings with a simpler venation , usually clear and only two antenodal crossveins . Generally smaller damselflies found close to pools or lakes, in grasses or along the shoreline. . . . . . 3 3(2'). Veins IR2+ and RP3- arising nearer to the arculus than the nodus. Can be seen resting with wings wide-open hanging from grasses and brush near pools of water. . . . . . Lestidae 3'. Veins IR2+ and RP3- arising nearer to the nodus than the arculus . Can be seen resting with wings closed together over the abdomen. . . . . . Coenagrionidae Selected References Anonymous. (2005). The Dragonfly Society of the Americas. (1 April 2015). Corbet PS. 1999. Dragonflies: Behavior and ecology of Odonata. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press. Ithaca, New York. Daigle JJ. 1991. Florida damselflies (Zygoptera): A species key to the aquatic larval stages. State of Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. Technical Series. Vol. 11, Num.

1. Daigle JJ. 1992. Florida dragonflies (Anisoptera): A species key to the aquatic larval stages. State of Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. Technical Series. Vol. 12, Num. 1. Lohmann H. 1996. Das phylogenetische system der Anisoptera (Odonata). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 106: 209-266. Mauffray B. (2005). International Odonata Research Institute. (1 April 2015). Merritt RW, Cummins KW. 1996. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America (3ed). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Dubuque, Iowa. Miller PL. 1992. The effects of oxygen lack on egg hatching in an Indian dragonfly, Potamarcha congener. Physiological Entomology 17: 68-72. Mitchell F, et al. (2012). Digital dragonflies. Texas A&M AgriLife. (1 April 2015). Rehn AC. 2003.

Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata. Systematic Entomology 28: 181-240. Sternberg K. 1990. Autökologie von sechs Libellenarten der Moore und Hochmoore des Schwarzwaldes und Ursachen ihrer Moorbindung. DrT, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg Germany. Westfall MJ, May ML. 1996. Damselflies of North America. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, Florida. 649 pp. Footnotes 1. This document is EENY355, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 2005. Revised April 2015. Visit the EDIS website at . This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website at . 2. Seth Bybee, Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Anatomy of a Dragonfly Stigma | Education - Seattle PI Anatomy of a Dragonfly Stigma Education by Demand Media Each dragonfly wing has a stigma toward the tip. Related Articles How to Simulate a Tsunami for a Science Project Dragonflies not only are visually beautiful, they’re also agile fliers and helpful insect eaters.

To get to know these Odonata order insects, you should examine the various parts of their anatomy, including not only the head, thorax and abdomen -- which make up the three main sections of the adult dragonfly’s body -- but the smaller components such as the stigma. Even though the adult dragonfly’s stigma, also known as pterostigma, may seem like an insignificant dot, it’s actually a vital component to the dragonfly’s anatomy. Where to Find It To examine the stigma’s anatomy, you have to know where to look. You can’t find the stigma on an immature dragonfly, as the stigma is hidden. You will find an adult dragonfly’s stigma on the leading edge of each wing, toward the wingtip. If you are facing the dragonfly head-on while its wings are positioned vertically, the stigma would be pointed at you and near the upper tip of each wing. A Word on Wings Before a dragonfly reaches adulthood, the veins in the wings are flat, hollow tubes, and the wings are compact and tightly folded inside the immature naiad, also called a nymph. This is because an immature dragonfly lives in the water until it goes airborne after transformation.

When the nymph transforms into an adult dragonfly, the wings unfold as the tubes fill with hemolymph, the dragonfly’s equivalent of blood. The stigma is filled with this hemolymph and it resembles a blood blister. This blister is in the shape of a solid rectangle Size and Color The actual size and color of the stigma varies between dragonfly species, although the general location remains the same. The stigma is e a contrasting color to the rest of the wing, which makes it easier for you to spot. For instance, it may appear black against its clear wings. Some stigmas are long, thin rectangles, while others are shorter rectangles. What It Does The stigma is a multipurpose component of a dragonfly’s body. The stigma can be used to signal a mate or rival. It can act as a tiny weight that affects the wings’ vibrations, as the Minnesota Odonata Survey Project points out. The stigma works with the nodus, the midway notch area on the center leading edge of the wing where several large veins intersect, to increase flexibility and prevent fatigue fractures of the wings. References

Question: What is an immature dragonfly known as?
Answer: NYMPH