Facts About Dragonflies
🐉 Quick Facts About Dragonflies
1. Ancient and diverse
- Dragonflies belong to the insect infraorder Anisoptera under Odonata, a group that’s survived for over 300 million years
- About 3,000–5,000 species exist worldwide, mostly in tropical regions
2. Extraordinary Vision and Flight
- Each compound eye contains nearly 24,000 ommatidia, providing nearly 360° vision
- They are among the fastest insects—some species fly up to 30 mph, hovering and darting in all directions
3. Skilled Hunters
- Dragonflies are carnivorous predators, catching up to 97% of their prey in mid-air—mostly mosquitos, flies, and other small insects
- Their nymphs (aquatic juveniles) live underwater, breathing through their tibutary rectal gills and using them for jet propulsion to hunt prey
4. Complex Life Cycle and Behavior
- Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis—from eggs to aquatic nymphs (naiads) and finally winged adults
- Their aerial mating ritual forms a distinctive “wheel” or “heart” shape when males lock onto females
5. Ecological Significance
- They help control mosquito populations, eating up to 100 mosquitos a day
Dragonfly presence indicates healthy freshwater ecosystems; their decline often signals water pollution.
