![]() ![]() ![]() Why Are Swarms of Dragonflies in My Yard? Their primary prey is some of the most troublesome pests you can encounter: mosquitoes, ants, termites, gnats, flies, wasps, butterflies, and water bugs. Dragonflies don’t damage plants and are not aggressive to people – while they can bite, they will only do so when threatened, and even then, it is not likely to break the skin. Flight: Damselflies are less powerful fliers than dragonflies.ĭragonflies are a form of natural pest control and are considered beneficial insects.The damselfly’s wings can also be metallic or iridescent in color, while the dragonflies usually are transparent. Dragonflies’ wings always sit horizontally to their bodies. Wings: Damselflies rest their wings along with their bodies when not in flight.Bodies: Damselflies have smaller, slimmer bodies, with a much thinner thorax.Here are some of the most notable key differences: They both belong to the same order, Odonata, but are different species. Damselflyĭragonflies are easily confused with the damselfly. Their wings are most often clear with black veins but can also have a yellow-brown hue. They range from deep reds to metallic greens and many other colors. The most striking feature of the dragonfly is its iridescent and vibrant coloration. They possess small antennae and short, thin legs. They, like all insects, have a head, thorax, and abdomen with a set of large compound eyes. What Does a Dragonfly Look Like?ĭragonflies are large insects, ranging from 1 to 4 inches in length, with wings as long as 6 inches. Dragonflies also prey upon fruit flies, gnats, waterbugs, midges, damselflies, and other small insects, most of which congregate around standing water. While in their naiad form, they will hunt and consume mosquito larvae and eggs, and as adults, they will attack and devour mature, flying mosquitoes. Dragonflies prey on mosquitoes as nymphs and adults. This attraction is due to their need for water in laying eggs and the presence of their primary food source, mosquitoes. When they reach adulthood, they can live for another 5-10 weeks.ĭragonflies are naturally attracted to bodies of standing water. Dragonflies spend most of their lives in their nymph stage, living for two to five years before reaching maturity. While in this nymph stage, also referred to as naiads, they will continuously molt (up to 15 times for some species) until they reach maturity. Instead, dragonfly eggs are laid directly in water, and after about a week, they hatch into nymphs. They’re typically found in bogs, wetlands, and marshes or along riversides, ponds, and lakes.ĭragonflies are a type of hemimetabolous insect, meaning they lack a pupal stage. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica and are most common in southern and coastal states. They have large, compound eyes, two sets of transparent wings, long bodies, and tooth-like mandibles – these mandibles are where their scientific name, Anisoptera, derives from, meaning “toothed one.” There are over 5,500 dragonflies in North America, with 450 present in the United States and Canada. They belong to the order Odonata, along with the damselfly. Some species, like the green darner, are so large they prey on small birds. Lighted Magnifying Glass That Stays Putĭragonflies, or by their scientific name, Anisoptera, are large, predatory flying insects.Single vs Double Vs Triple Pane Windows.
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