Dragonfly

Dragonflies at a glance

Need to know

• Dragonflies are one of the fastest flying insects, reaching speeds of up to 54 km/h (34 mph).
• They have existed for over 300 million years and were among the first winged insects.
• Dragonflies spend most of their lives as aquatic larvae, sometimes for several years.
• Some species, like the Globe Skimmer, migrate thousands of kilometers across oceans.
• Their compound eyes can contain up to 30,000 lenses, providing nearly 360-degree vision.
• Dragonflies are voracious predators, often consuming hundreds of mosquitoes in a single day.

About the Dragonflies

Dragonflies are remarkable predatory insects in the suborder Anisoptera, instantly recognized by their large eyes, elongated bodies, and two pairs of strong, transparent wings. These agile fliers are ancient survivors, with fossil records dating back to the Carboniferous period, making them some of the oldest winged insects on Earth. Dragonflies play a crucial ecological role both as predators of other insects and as prey for birds, fish, and amphibians.

They inhabit freshwater environments worldwide and boast striking diversity in both color and size, from tiny damselfly-like forms to giants with impressive wingspans. Many dragonflies are locally abundant, and their presence is considered an indicator of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Some, such as the Wandering Glider, perform the longest known insect migrations, crossing oceans and continents.

Physical characteristics

Size: 2–12 cm body length; 3–19 cm wingspan depending on species. Weight: 0.2–1.5 grams typically. Lifespan: typically 6 months as adults; up to 7 years including nymph stage.

• large, hemispherical compound eyes
• long, slender, cylindrical abdomens
• two pairs of strong, transparent wings with many cross-veins
• short antennae
• leg spines suited for catching prey in flight

Notable species

• Common Green Darner (Anax junius) — Least Concern. Ponds, lakes, marshes, and sometimes brackish coastal waters Regions: North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America.
• Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) — Least Concern. Lakes, slow rivers, large ponds Regions: Europe, North Africa, Middle East, west and central Asia.
• Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) — Least Concern. Clean streams and rivers, sometimes moorland Regions: Western Europe, British Isles, Iberian Peninsula, France.
• Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) — Least Concern. Still and slow-flowing waters; ponds, ditches, lakes Regions: Southern Europe, Middle East, Northern Africa, Indian subcontinent.
• Empress Dragonfly (Anax parthenope) — Least Concern. Large lakes, lagoons, slow rivers Regions: Southern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, Mediterranean Basin.
• Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) — Least Concern. Marshes, rice paddies, temporary ponds, coastal wetlands Regions: Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America.

Habitat and range

Original range: Freshwater habitats worldwide, originating in ancient swamps and wetlands of the Carboniferous period.

Current distribution: Present on every continent except Antarctica, in virtually all non-arid regions with standing or slow-moving fresh water.

Preferred environments: lakes, ponds, marshes, slow rivers, bogs, flooded fields

Regions: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Caribbean, Indian subcontinent

Where to see Dragonflies

• Okavango Delta — September to November. One of Africa's richest dragonfly wetlands, especially after the flood recedes.
• Florida Everglades — April to June. Watch for mass emergences and hunting swarms around dusk.
• Japanese rice paddies — July to August. Best for viewing large species like the Brown Hawker.
• Lake District, UK — June to August. Several rare and colorful species active around unpolluted lakes.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Adults prey almost exclusively on flying insects including mosquitoes, flies, bees, butterflies, and other dragonflies; nymphs are aquatic predators feeding on small fish, tadpoles, and invertebrates.

Social structure: Generally solitary predators, though large congregations may gather at good hunting or breeding sites.

Communication: Primarily visual using wing and body postures; males signal territory through flight display; chemical cues used in some courtship.

• stunning aerial agility and territorial dogfights between males
• egg-laying (oviposition) often performed in tandem with the male guarding the female
• larvae (naiads) use hydraulic jet propulsion to escape predators

Interactions with other animals

• Mosquitoes (predator): Dragonfly adults capture and eat vast numbers of mosquitoes in flight, helping to control populations.
• Small fish (prey (for nymphs)): Dragonfly larvae readily eat small fish and tadpoles in the water.
• Birds (prey): Various birds prey on both adult and larval dragonflies.
• Other dragonflies (competitive/predator): Large dragonflies occasionally prey on or outcompete smaller dragonflies.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Least Concern (majority of species); some species threatened

Threats

• Loss or degradation of wetlands
• Water pollution (especially pesticides and runoff)
• Climate change affecting aquatic habitats
• Introduction of invasive species

Conservation efforts

• Wetland restoration projects
• Monitoring and mapping of dragonfly populations
• Environmental education to highlight dragonflies as bioindicators
• Establishment of protected wetland reserves

How to help

• Support and volunteer with local wetland restoration programs
• Reduce use of garden pesticides and chemicals near ponds or streams
• Participate in citizen science: record and report dragonfly sightings
• Promote clean water initiatives in your community

Dragonflies facts for kids

Dragonflies are colorful insects with long bodies and two pairs of see-through wings. They are super-fast fliers, love to eat mosquitoes, and can even fly backwards! Dragonflies spend part of their life in the water before flying as adults.

• Dragonflies catch their food in mid-air like tiny helicopters.
• Their eyes are so big, they can see almost all the way around.
• Some dragonflies fly huge distances – all the way across the ocean!
• They start life underwater and eat tadpoles and tiny bugs.
• Dragonfly wings beat so fast they look like spinning blades.

Did you know? Did you know a dragonfly can fly straight up, down, hover, or even go backwards—just like a real-life helicopter?

Watch & learn

• The Incredible World of Dragonflies | Super Fast Predators — BBC Earth. This segment explores the stunning aerial agility and predatory skills of dragonflies, featuring slow-motion footage and in-depth narration about their hunting techniques and life cycles. Excellent for understanding their unique role in freshwater ecosystems.
• The Lifecycle of Dragonflies | Metamorphosis Underwater — Smithsonian Channel. Follow the dramatic transformation of dragonfly nymphs as they evolve from aquatic predators to beautiful adults, highlighting their crucial stages and the challenges they face from egg to flight.
• Dragonflies: Masters of Flight | Nature's Miniature Helicopters — PBS Nature. Discover how dragonflies achieve extraordinary flight control, examining close-up footage and expert commentary on their specialized wings and hunting strategies. Perfect for those fascinated by insect biomechanics.
• Dragonfly Heroes: Predators of the Pond — National Geographic Wild. Dive into the predatory world of dragonflies with epic hunting sequences and in-depth biological insights, demonstrating their importance as top insect predators in their habitats.
• Dragonflies and Damselflies: The Odonata Order — BBC Earth. Explore the fascinating differences and similarities between dragonflies (Anisoptera) and their relatives damselflies, with exceptional close-up nature cinematography and scientific insights from BBC experts.