How fast dragonfly

Older females may start to develop the colouration of the males. Examples are Common Darter , which goes from yellow-brown to reddish brown, and Black-tailed Skimmer , which goes from yellow-brown to a blueish-grey.

Greatly simplified, the life cycle is Egg usually laid under water , Larva free moving, water dwelling nymph and Adult. The larva lives for several weeks or years depending on species underwater and undergoes a series of moults as it grows.

Mainly, adult dragonflies eat other flying insects, particularly midges and mosquitoes. They also will take butterflies, moths and smaller dragonflies. There is one Asian species which takes spiders from their webs!

The larvae, which live in water, eat almost anything living that is smaller than themselves. The larger dragonfly larvae are known to catch and eat small fish or fry. Usually they eat bloodworms or other aquatic insect larvae. Dragonflies certainly do eat large numbers of flying pest species, but using them to control these pests is not really feasible. There have been a number of studies carried out and only in very restricted and tightly controlled environments have Dragonflies, or their larvae, been shown to be able to control pest numbers.

In the open, there is no reason to suppose that Dragonflies introduced to a pest rich habitat will stay there. Indeed, they certainly will not if other aspects of the environment do not suit them. It follows from this that your best chance of getting Dragonflies to prey on pests is to develop the habitat so that it is particularly suitable for Dragonflies, a worthwhile aim in itself! Dragonflies do have enemies.

Among the species that catch and eat adult dragonflies and damselflies are birds e. Wagtails and Hobbies , Spiders many damselflies are caught in webs , Frogs, and larger species of dragonflies which catch and eat other dragonflies and damselflies. In the larval stage, which is spent underwater, they are preyed on by fish, frogs, toads and newts, other water invertebrates — and Kingfishers see photo below. Their defences include their excellent eyesight and flying skills which can help them to evade capture.

Some are coloured black and yellow, or black and red, which is the universal warning colouration and may deter some of the bird predators. There are many legends and myths about dragonflies and damselflies from all parts of the world. Many are evident from their common nicknames. This name may come from the way a captured dragonfly curls its abdomen as if in an attempt to sting. Another possible explanation of this name is that the big Aeshnids etc.

Here they were actually feeding on the flies attracted to the horses. People seeing it made the inference that it was the dragon, being big and obvious, stinging, rather than an unseen fly biting.

Naturally there is no truth in either myth Similar myths are found throughout the world. You can find more about them by visiting Cultural Odonatology References , a site which has reference material relating to myths, legends, folklore and cultural significance of Odonata throughout the world. For more myths, and mythical names used in Europe you could visit Swedish Dragonflies where you will find a page of such items. Both these links will open in a new window.

Yes, Dragonflies do have a pair of antennae. They are very tiny and difficult to see. If you look at the photo you will just be able to see the antennae between the front of the eye and the front of the face of this Emperor dragonfly.

As dragonflies rely much more on their eyesight than on a sense of touch or smell, they do not need the large antennae found on some beetles and moths. Several species of dragonfly are known to collect in large aggregations or swarms. In most cases this appears to be due to very favourable feeding conditions in the locality. This is less likely as males are much more aggressive to each other when looking for a mate. The Four-spotted Chaser occasionally collects in these large aggregations before making a mass movement to another locality like a bird migration.

The reasons for this are unclear but may be due to population pressures. There are records from the US of migratory assemblages of species such as the Green Darner Anax junius and various species of Saddlebags Tramea. It is laying eggs.

While damselflies and some dragonflies will settle on vegetation and insert eggs into stalks and other material in or near the water, many dragonflies will fly across the water dipping the end of their abdomens into the water and releasing eggs. These eggs are surrounded by a jelly-like substance which enables the eggs to stick to vegetation or the bottom of the pond.

Hawk Moths, which have been clocked at a speed of Dragonflies can travel at body-lengths per second in forward flight, and three lengths per second backwards. Dragonflies are hunters and they prey on other flying insects. They use their speed and agility to help them catch their meal in midair.

Dragonflies are powerful and agile fliers, capable of migrating across the sea, moving in any direction, and changing direction suddenly. In flight, the adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions: upward, downward, forward, backward, to left and to right. The wings are powered directly, unlike most families of insects, with the flight muscles attached to the wing bases.

Dragonflies are not usually harmful to humans. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies to analyze website traffic and improve your experience on our website. Learn more about the types of cookies we use by reviewing our updated Privacy Policy. Meet the World's Fastest Flying Insect. What is the fastest flying insect? About the Dragonfly Dragonflies are most commonly found near ponds and lakes.

What makes dragonflies such fantastic fliers? Their long and tapered bodies channel air over and under the wings and abdomen to minimize drag.

While most insects have fixed wings that move together in motion, dragonflies sport wings that they can independently move up and down or forward and back. Dragonflies can fly in any direction they choose, even backward or upside down.

They can also execute hairpin turns at full speed and in slow motion, or even hover like a helicopter. How do dragonflies use their speed? Are dragonflies helpful or harmful? Their abilities to fly fast and to hover are crucial to their survival -- helping them catch prey and to dodge predators. Dragonflies can do something many insects and other flying creatures such as most birds cannot: They can fly forward, backward, straight up or in a zigzag pattern.

They fly fastest when moving straight forward, but the unpredictable movements of going backward and zigzagging catch prey and predators off guard, even if the speed is slower. Dragonflies also are able to hover, using their wing speed to hold them in place in the air.

Dragonflies can dart forward in the blink of an eye.