March 4, 2016. Dragonflies are primarily eaten by insect-eating birds, frogs, big spiders and fish. Photo from Pixabay. Thus, they became the symbol of transformation, change, and adaptability in some cultures. Living on every continent but Antarctica, these insects are instantly recognizable by their large bodies; four long, horizontal wings; and the way they hover and zip around. 4Kane, Sean. Mosquitoes bite you, leaving itchy red welts. 10. There are more than 5,000 species of dragonflies currently discovered. Adults also look for opportunities to mate. 9 Fun Facts about Dragonflies They flit like hummingbirds through the air, touching down briefly on a lilypad or piece of driftwood before zooming off again in an iridescent blur.They're dragonflies - and there's no place they'd rather hang out than your backyard pond. Dragonflies are insects with multifaceted eyes. The animals are imperiled by destruction of freshwater habitats—particularly ponds, bogs, and fens—by pollution, and non-native vegetation. But there’s something magical about dragonflies. They can flap each wing up and down, and rotate their wings forward and back on an axis. Both agile and powerful, dragonflies exude a sense of poise and power. New Scientist. 6. Dragonflies have nearly 360-degree vision. They can see a wider spectrum of colors than humans. Dragonflies are some of the most colorful insects around, and come in a variety of different colors. They are some of the fastest flying insects in the world reaching speeds of over 48 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. Dragonfly delicacies are widespread not just in Indonesia but also in other parts of Asia. To avoid being eaten, adult dragonflies will use their quickness and agility to out fly predators who are pursuing them and will also hide in vegetation if it is too cold for them to fly. By comparison, bees beat their wings about 300 times per second. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Required fields are marked If you’ve ever watched a dragonfly speed over the water, you know how captivating they are! If a dragonfly can't fly, it will starve. They have a wingspan of just 17–18 mm or 7/10 of an inch. At the shortest the life cycle of a dragonfly from egg to the death of the adult is about six months. For example, the yellow presba, a dragonfly native only to South Africa, is losing its grassland habitat to the Australian black wattle, a commercially introduced tree. Dragonflies were one of the first insects to occupy Earth. 2Brahic, Catherine. Dragonflies. Flies are just disgusting. A dragonfly can open its mouth as wide as its entire head. Grab a field guide. Adult dragonflies hunt on the wing using their exceptionally acute eyesight and strong, agile flight. If in rare circumstances, a dragonfly gets close to your skin and bites you, all you’ll feel is a tiny pinch with no lasting effects. In 2009, the first comprehensive assessment of insect species showed that 10 percent of dragonfly species were under threat of extinction. Dragonflies have a variety of colors such as yellow, red, brown, blue, and green. Your email address will not be published. It may also be a “courting” group with males actively searching for females. They only eat prey they catch while they are flying. That is twice as much as the common dragonflies. Griffenflies (Meganisoptera), the gigantic precursors to modern dragonflies had wingspans of over two feet and dotted the skies during the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago., There's a good reason why you see dragonflies and damselflies around ponds and lakes: They're aquatic! Some English vernacular names, such as “horse-stinger”, “devil’s darning needle”, and “ear cutter”, link them with evil or injury. 7. Competition for females is fierce, leading male dragonflies to aggressively fend off other suitors. Dragonflies Thermoregulate Their Bodies. Dragonflies don't sting and generally don't bite people. Dragonflies are found on every continent except Antarctica. According to some folklore, seeing swarms of dragonflies signified incoming rain. For some cultures, dragonflies represent good luck and prosperity – especially when it lands on one’s head. A dragonfly uses about 80% of its brain to process all this visual information. They undergo between six and 15 molts before emerging as fully formed adult dragonflies, a process that takes about 12 hours. 10 Surprisingly Brutal Facts About Dragonflies. Some dragonflies gather in swarms before migration.