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The Dragonfly
By Sheri Lamkin Kerr
I
don’t know how everyone else feels, but one of my most special moments
is when I spot my first dragonfly every spring. To me, they seem like a
happy go lucky creature, and quite often very pretty. I thought I would
investigate further and share my findings with all of you.
I found
there are nearly 5000 species of dragonflies and damselflies found in
temperate and tropical regions of the world. Their Latin name is
Odonata, same as dentures, dentists and orthodontists. It refers to the
tooth like ridges on their mandible mouth parts and in their nymphs
too. Chewing is a big part of the dragonfly’s life.
You
might ask, what is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?
Well, dragonflies are a much stronger flyer while damselflies have a
weak fluttery flight. Dragonfly species vary in size and shape where as
damselflies are all similar in shape. Their eyes are also different.
They touch on the top of a dragonfly, whereas the eyes of the damselfly
are well separated. At rest the wings of the dragonfly are held away
from the body at a 180 degree angle where the damselfly will hold them
close to their body.
About
63% of the dragonfly’s total body weight is made up of flight muscles.
They have a streamlined shape and very large wings for their body mass.
Their wings are also used for signaling during courtship and territorial
displays as well as absorbing heat like solar panels. The dragonfly is
so fast and can change directions so quickly, that it is hard to follow
with the naked eye. They have been clocked anywhere from 19 to 30 miles
per hour.
Their most important role they play is in the
control of the mosquito population. When they are nothing but dragonfly
nymphs, which is for about 2 years, one of the things they prey upon is
mosquito larvae, and when they are adults, they eat mosquito adults
.They also love flies. This behavior has earned them the nickname of
“mosquito hawk”.
In closing, dragonflies are living fossils, and
part of the most ancient group of insects on the planet. They soared
through the air and lived on earth for a staggering 300,000,000 years.
Humans have been around for only 200,000,000 years. Insects were the
first creatures to fly. We know about these ancient dragonflies through
fossils. Back then their wingspans were over 31” and they were the
largest insects known. Today their wingspans are up to 5.5”. Somehow I
don’t think if they were still 31” I would get that same warm fuzzy
feeling at my first sighting every spring.
Facts compiled from Kildeer Countryside Virtual
Wetlands Preserve
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