These are some of my favorites. I used to have them in my garden in
Oregon in all different colors, … blue, green, orange-red …
They fold their legs together like a basket and can catch several
mosquitoes in the ‘basket’ at once. I used to put thin bamboo
sticks in the garden at random for a perch for them.
This past summer (as it was) I had the honor of observing these
strange bugs crawling out of the lake and onto the shore next to the
millions. They clung to benches, rocks, campfires,
bushes and everything and then I started to look at them more closely and
What happened? The ‘bugs broke open’ and a weird wet look
longer bug crawled out of shell. I looked a little more and
wings spread and dry and with a bit of dry undulation
more and it turned into a beautiful (HUGE) dragonfly. This miracle was
happening all over the place and soon as the day had warmed up,
there were thousands and thousands of 6-9 inch greenish dragonflies
taking the air and landed on me and my friends. Was
very cool.
Dragonflies are just one of the few types of creatures that feed on
mosquitoes, and for that, humans should be grateful. In this and
In other ways, dragonflies play an important role in maintaining the
balance of biodiversity in the coastal ecosystem.
In existence for the last 280-380 million years, dragonflies are
some of the oldest insects that exist. The first dragonflies to
existed were much larger than the current species, having a
wingspan reaching 35 inches. Today, the wingspan of dragonflies rarely
exceed 10 inches, however these insects can still reach speeds
19 miles per hour. In addition to two elongated wings,
Dragonflies are equipped with six legs, although they are rarely
used for walking. Their abdomen is elongated and they have large
heads, short antennae, and sensitive eyes to help dragonflies
find its prey.
As predators, adult dragonflies feed on flying insects, such as
mosquitoes that catch on their wings, either flying around
or sitting motionless. Dragonflies are unique because they are
carnivore, eating other insects in abundance. Not uncommon
hear of a dragonfly filling its mouth with up to a hundred
mosquitoes at once! Known as the “mosquito hawk”, dragonflies
may be our best defense against a world crowded with people
pesky blood-sucking pests. Some believe that as an alternative
to the current method of using hazardous insecticides to control
mosquito population (as San Pedro does), perhaps dragonflies should
be cultivated and released. In various areas of the world, this has
has proven to be an effective method of ensuring the balance of
biodiversity, while keeping mosquito populations in check, and
That is a very good thing.
Dragonflies are among the brightest jewels in the world.
entomological world. And the most successful: his genetic pattern.
It is ancient, as the time-stained footprints of its
giant wings and fossilized bodies hundreds of millions of years
behind. Approximately 400-500 species are known in the United States,
with new species that are described each year. Its color and
The behavior has excited many professional and amateur entomologists,
but unlike butterflies and beetles, dragonflies’ colors rarely retain
well in a collection. The insect so bright in life is reduced in
a museum to a boring caricature of himself. Recent preservation
Acetone protocols have improved sample quality and gone a long way
in maintaining the original color. However, no other technique other than
Photography works completely to capture color, and nothing else.
has managed to preserve the color of the eyes.
Dragonflies are among the oldest living creatures. Fossil
records, clearly recognizable as the ancestors of our present
odonates, date back to Carboniferous times, which means that the
Insects flew more than 300 million years ago, preceding
dinosaurs for more than 100 million years and birds for about 150 million.
It would be tragic if, after surviving such unimaginable numbers
years, it should be our generation that witnesses a serious
decay of these fascinating and beautiful insects.
Odonates thrive in water and, to protect them, it is
necessary to study the exact habitat requirements of each individual
species and then protect, conserve and, where possible, increase
the number of suitable habitats. The habitat requirements of some
The species are narrow and these are obviously the ones that are most in
risk. Other species species are Catholic in their needs and will
survive in almost any type of water, some even tolerate water
that’s brackish. Most fall between these extremes, some
requiring running water, some still and some bogs and swamps.
Sadly, the right sites are disappearing faster than the new ones.
formed and, until that trend is reversed, there is a continuing cause
of concern. Rivers are polluted; ponds are allowed to become
clogged with debris and week; the marshes are drained to meet the
the demand for roads and houses always increases; primeval forests are
disappearing and, with them, the mountain streams containing some
of the most interesting and primitive species in the world.
The important questions are: how can we make sure there are no more odonates?
habitats disappear? and how we can encourage the spread of species
who are not taking such a serious risk? Here are some answers:
You can dig small ponds in our gardens or backyards, the largest in
play areas of our school and even larger in various types of
open space. It won’t be long before the dragonflies and damselflies
begin to colonize them, as many species easily discover new
habitats
Farmers and other landowners can be encouraged to preserve their
hedges and groves where adults take refuge in the dull weather, and to
Keep ponds and other waters on your land free of effluents. Lakes
and ponds should not be allowed to fill with reeds or
other aquatic plants, nor should the overhanging branches of trees be
allowed to totally block the sun.
You can join or, if necessary, create a local conservation group
volunteers. The help these groups provide can be tremendously
gratifying.