Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under water as the adults are in the air. However, unlike other insects, the dragonfly relies entirely on flight for its movement; it does not use legs to walk but only for holding onto foliage during rest, grasping a mate during copulation and for grasping prey. [64] In general, large dragonflies like the hawkers have a maximum speed of 3654km/h (2234mph) with average cruising speed of about 16km/h (9.9mph). Other characteristics that set the dragonfly apart from other insects are the eyes, wings, flight speed and maneuverability during flight. Called the mask, it is a fusion of the larvas third pair of mouthparts. Pupke, Chris. "[110] The poet Matsuo Bash (16441694) wrote haiku such as "Crimson pepper pod / add two pairs of wings, and look / darting dragonfly", relating the autumn season to the dragonfly. These include falcons such as the American kestrel, the merlin,[76] and the hobby;[77] nighthawks, swifts, flycatchers and swallows also take some adults; some species of wasps, too, prey on dragonflies, using them to provision their nests, laying an egg on each captured insect. Some of these characteristics include segmented bodies, jointed appendages, compound and/or median eyes, and an external skeleton. The female then curls her abdomen downwards and forwards under her body to pick up the sperm from the male's secondary genitalia, while the male uses his "tail" claspers to grip the female behind the head: this distinctive posture is called the "heart" or "wheel";[39][51] the pair may also be described as being "in cop". Animals Sitemap . [12] Both damselsfly and dragonfly nymphs ventilate the rectum, but just some damselfly nymphs have a rectal epithelium that is rich in trachea, relying mostly on three feathery external gills as their major source of respiration. [84] Over 60% of Japan's wetlands were lost in the 20th century, so its dragonflies now depend largely on rice fields, ponds, and creeks. [108], In heraldry, like other winged insects, the dragonfly is typically depicted tergiant (with its back facing the viewer), with its head to chief. This unique characteristic occurs because the butterfly has no colored scales, which account for the color variations on most butterfly species. Colors of different dragonfly species range from metallic green and blue to dark brown and black with blue and green spots of colors. In most large species of dragonflies, the wings of females are shorter and broader than those of males. The animals are imperiled by destruction of freshwater habitatsparticularly ponds, bogs, and fensby pollution, and non-native vegetation. Dragonflies have long, delicate, membranous wings which are transparent and some have light yellow coloring near the tips. [70] A dragonfly may consume as much as a fifth of its body weight in prey per day. Petalura gigantea has 23890 ommatidia of just one size. Their overall coloration is often a combination of yellow, red, brown, and black pigments, with structural colours. [27][29][30][31], Dragonfly nymphs vary in form with species, and are loosely classed into claspers, sprawlers, hiders, and burrowers. These wing sheaths then enlarge rapidly with each successive molt. Hadley, Debbie. The eyes take up most of the head; the thorax is approximately two to three times the size of the head, and the wings and legs are attached to the thorax. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Distinguishing characteristics and flight behaviour, https://www.britannica.com/animal/dragonfly. The attacker thus looms larger as he closes on the rival, but does not otherwise appear to move. It depends. cercus - The outer pair of anal appendages on anisopteran larvae. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the closely related damselflies, which make up the other odonatan infraorder (Zygoptera) and are similar in body plan, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. The life cycle of a dragonfly has a few stages. Grid Card. Typically, a darner dragonfly has a thick thorax and a long abdomen, and the abdomen is slightly narrower just behind the thorax. They are also symbols in the Chinese practices of Feng Shui, where placements of dragonfly statues and artwork in parts of a home or office are believed to bring new insights and positive changes. The International Union for Conservation of Nature now considers this dragonfly vulnerable to extinction. In some species, males claim and defend a territory against intrusion from other males. Their copulatory organs are on the underside of the abdomen, up around the second and third segments. [28] Some have their bodies covered with a pale blue, waxy powderiness called pruinosity; it wears off when scraped during mating, leaving darker areas. Their bright colours and agile flight are admired in the poetry of Lord Tennyson and the prose of H. E. Bates. Damselfly nymphs swim by undulating their bodies. The distribution of diversity within the biogeographical regions are summarized below (the world numbers are not ordinary totals, as overlaps in species occur). Fossils of very large dragonfly-like insects, sometimes called griffinflies, are found from 325million years ago (Mya) in Upper Carboniferous rocks; these had wingspans up to about 750mm (30in), though they were only distant relatives, not true dragonflies. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Gliding, with the wings held out, is used in three situations: free gliding, for a few seconds in between bursts of powered flight; gliding in the updraft at the crest of a hill, effectively hovering by falling at the same speed as the updraft; and in certain dragonflies such as darters, when "in cop" with a male, the female sometimes simply glides while the male pulls the pair along by beating his wings. Heres how paradise fought back. [85][86] Dragonflies are steadily declining in Africa, and represent a conservation priority. A species tightly linked to its birth site utilises a foraging area that is several orders of magnitude larger than the birth site. The most obvious fact relating to the glasswing butterfly is that it contains transparent wings, usually with an outline of black or orange -- although the colors can vary. Females are longer and thinner than the males, who display a 'waisted' appearance. Some dragonflies also point their wings forward and down in order to reduce exposure to sunlight and, perhaps, to reflect light and heat away from their bodies. It has a chitinous exoskeleton of hard plates held together with flexible membranes. The abdomen draws water in and pumps it out again through the anus. As seen in Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), male populations use wetland habitats, while females use dry meadows and marginal breeding habitats, only migrating to the wetlands to lay their eggs or to find mating partners. Some previous studies have reported that corrugated wings exhibit better aerodynamic performance than flat wings at low Reynolds numbers (ten to the third). 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-dragonflies-1968249. 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. The wings of male dragoinflies are relatively longer and narrower than females in large species. In females, the genital opening is on the underside of the eighth segment, and is covered by a simple flap (vulvar lamina) or an ovipositor, depending on species and the method of egg-laying. Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are sometimes also called dragonflies in that both are odonates (order Odonata). They are fast, agile and powerful flyers. In nearly all insects, the male sex organs are located at the tip of the abdomen. In Indonesia, adult dragonflies are caught on poles made sticky with birdlime, then fried in oil as a delicacy. Dragonflies do not walk. [93]:38, In Chinese culture, dragonflies symbolize both change and instability. Dragonflies and damselflies are predaceous both as immatures and adults. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. The globe skimmer (or wandering glider, Pantala flavescens), a migratory dragonfly, for example, makes an annual multigenerational journey of some 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles); to complete the migration, individual globe skimmers fly more than 6,000 km (3,730 miles)one of the farthest known migrations of all insect species. Pairs of some species may remain in tandem while the female lays her eggs. Dragonflies have a more powerful build and are generally much stronger fliers than damselflies. [72], The nymphs are voracious predators, eating most living things that are smaller than they are. ", "Frequently Asked Questions about Dragonflies", "Insect behaviour: Motion camouflage in dragonflies", "Linking biomechanics and ecology through predatorprey interactions: flight performance of dragonflies and their prey", "First report on predation of adult anurans by Odonata larvae", https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p035dt53/dragonflies-see-the-world-in-slow-motion, https://dragonfly.org/the-symbolism-biology-and-lore-of-dragonflies/, "An Introduction To The Study of Invertebrate Zoology. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. Libellula saturata. Greens often combine a structural blue with a yellow pigment. antennae - A pair of sensory organs on top of the head. Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. Nymphs propel themselves quickly by sucking water into their abdomen and then spitting it out. It is also said to have a close association with the subconscious world of hidden dreams and ideas. Conversely, during hot spells, some dragonflies strategically position themselves to minimize sun exposure, using their wings to deflect sunlight. For other uses, see, "Anisoptera" redirects here. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Here, the wings are discarded and the prey usually ingested head first. Skimmers, clubtails, and petaltails scout out prime egg-laying locations around ponds. Perching dragonflies, on the other hand, who rely on solar energy for warmth, skillfully position their bodies to maximize the surface area exposed to sunlight. However, the majority of species live in tropical areas and have been little studied. Dragonflies can fly in any direction that a helicopter can fly, including 360 degree turns, hovering in one place and even backward. They may be seen on the wing for several months, but this may represent a whole series of individuals, with new adults hatching out as earlier ones complete their lifespans. In 2009 she created her own rabbit rescue-related website, where she continues to post articles to this day. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. [91], Many Native American tribes consider dragonflies to be medicine animals that had special powers. This style creates more thrust, but less lift than counter-stroking, Synchronised-stroking, with forewings and hindwings beating together, is used when changing direction rapidly, as it maximises thrust. Some species lie in wait for prey and hide by either burrowing in the mud or resting within the vegetation. In fact, according to one dragonfly myth, the uncanny creatures would sew up the lips of unsuspecting humans. The forerunners of modern Odonata are included in a clade called the Panodonata, which include the basal Zygoptera (damselflies) and the Anisoptera (true dragonflies). Omissions? The wing structure of several insects, including dragonflies, is not smooth, but corrugated; its vertical cross-section consists of a connected series of line segments. Nymphs feed on a range of freshwater invertebrates and larger ones can prey on tadpoles and small fish. [60], Dragonflies are powerful and agile fliers, capable of migrating across the sea, moving in any direction, and changing direction suddenly. In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. They have bulging eyes somewhat similar to the adults, but possess a formidable anatomical structure not present in the adult. A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. [47] In some species females have evolved behavioural responses such as feigning death to escape the attention of males. "10 Fascinating Facts About Dragonflies." A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. [39] One species, Gomphus militaris, even live as a parasite, feeding on the gills of gravid mussels. Dragonfly eyes consist of approximately 28,000 individual telescoping lenses called ommatidia. These Ancient Insects Have Truly Surprising Qualities. [12], Dragonflies live on every continent except Antarctica. But this system has been modified in several families. The relationships of anisopteran families are not fully resolved as of 2013, but all the families are monophyletic except the Corduliidae; the Gomphidae are a sister taxon to all other Anisoptera, the Austropetaliidae are sister to the Aeshnoidea, and the Chlorogomphidae are sister to a clade that includes the Synthemistidae and Libellulidae. Many dragonfly families have descriptive common names associated with their scientific names. These dragonflies have long bodies and are typically large in size. [11] On the cladogram, dashed lines indicate unresolved relationships; English names are given (in parentheses): About 3,012 species of dragonflies were known in 2010; these are classified into 348 genera in 11 families. [54] In a few species, the eggs are laid on emergent plants above the water, and development is delayed until these have withered and become immersed. While both of those groups are sometimes referred to as "giant dragonflies", in fact true dragonflies/odonata are more modern insects that had not evolved yet. They are also depicted frequently in Japanese art and literature, especially haiku poetry. Search for your true talents and try to release them 3. Third largest order of insects, with approximately 11 families and 407 species in North America and 29 families and >5000 species worldwide. Habitats Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour and fly just as gracefully backward by lifting off vertically, helicopter style. They are our reminder to lighten our thoughts and habits. The springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata), for example, is suddenly very common in the spring, but disappears a few weeks later and is not seen again until the following year. Some defend a territory against others of their own species, some against other species of dragonfly and a few against insects in unrelated groups. This extraordinary vision is one reason why they're able to keep a watch on a single insect within a swarm. They have large eyes that take up nearly the entire head surface and when not contiguous are not as widely separated as within the damselflies (see the key below). Color patterns vary as do wing designs and lengths can run as long as 5 inches (as with the "Giant Darner"). Should a challenger fly into his chosen habitat, the defending male will do all he can to chase away the competition. [116][117], This article is about the insect. [55] Eggs laid inside plant tissues are usually shaped like grains of rice, while other eggs are the size of a pinhead, ellipsoidal, or nearly spherical. Often stylized in a double-barred cross design, dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery, as well as Hopi rock art and Pueblo necklaces. Distribution: Common worldwide. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Clear Wings. [40] Adults capture insect prey in the air, making use of their acute vision and highly controlled flight. It remains stationary with its head out of the water, while its respiration system adapts to breathing air, then climbs up a reed or other emergent plant, and moults (ecdysis). He was the first English artist to make illustrations of dragonflies accurate enough to be identified to species (Aeshna grandis at top left of plate illustrated), though his rough drawing of a nymph (at lower left) with the mask extended appears to be plagiarised. The damselfly nymph actually breathes through gillsinside its rectum. Likewise, the dragonfly nymph pulls water into its anus to facilitate gas exchange. What is the lifespan of a dragonfly? It is believed to be a symbol of power, success, change, happiness, wisdom, peace, and harmony along with good luck and new beginnings. The leading edge of each wing has a node where other veins join the marginal vein, and the wing is able to flex at this point. [54] Flying in tandem has the advantage that less effort is needed by the female for flight and more can be expended on egg-laying, and when the female submerges to deposit eggs, the male may help to pull her out of the water. [81] Trematodes are parasites of vertebrates such as frogs, with complex life cycles often involving a period as a stage called a cercaria in a secondary host, a snail. Compared with other insects, they are large, with some having wingspans of up to 16 cm (about 6 inches). Eyes Dragonflies have much larger eyes than damselflies. Life Cycle Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem. Adult dragonflies are characterized by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. The origin of the change is mental and emotional maturity, as well as the ability to comprehend the deeper meaning of life. Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees. [87], The dragonfly's long lifespan and low population density makes it vulnerable to disturbance, such as from collisions with vehicles on roads built near wetlands. Gliders. The relatively constant wing architecture across dragonfly evolution suggests that the wing architecture of dragonflies functions well over a large range of wingspans. . Two prominent features distinguish insects from other arthropods, and from all other animals: they have bodies divided into three segments, head, thorax and abdomen and they have six jointed legs. Odonata, insect order comprising the dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera). The little-known history of the Florida panther. https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-dragonflies-1968249 (accessed May 1, 2023). [52], Egg-laying (ovipositing) involves not only the female darting over floating or waterside vegetation to deposit eggs on a suitable substrate, but also the male hovering above her or continuing to clasp her and flying in tandem. Dragonfly Anatomy. When they land, the female curls her abdomen under to meet his secondary genitalia, forming a mating wheel that can resemble the shape of a heart. [83], In 1997, the International Union for Conservation of Nature set up a status survey and conservation action plan for dragonflies. [97] They have also been used as a decorative motif on fabrics and home furnishings. Even better, these large-eyed aeronauts love to feed on pests like mosquitoes and midges for which we can be truly gratefulbut those aren't the only interesting qualities that make them so fascinating. Even the smallest species are about 20 mm (0.8 inch) across. The front wing pairs are smaller than the back pairs. Many of these spiketail dragonflies can be found in wooded areas near the Rocky Mountains. Dragonflies have also been known as snake doctors in the American South, owing to the superstition that they nurse ill snakes back to health. Dragonflies including Tramea lacerata (black saddlebags) may notice landmarks that assist in defining the boundaries of the territory. Vegetation and its characteristics including submerged, floating, emergent, or waterside are also important. Change is coming - or you should make a change 5. They function independently, giving the dragonfly speed and height during flight. They do not bite and they do not sting. Dragonflies and their relatives are similar in structure to an ancient group, the Meganisoptera, from the 325Mya Upper Carboniferous of Europe, a group that included the largest insect that ever lived, Meganeuropsis permiana from the Early Permian, with a wingspan around 750mm (30in). Is a dragonfly an insect or a bug? The mouthparts are adapted for biting with a toothed jaw; the flap-like labrum, at the front of the mouth, can be shot rapidly forward to catch prey. Dragonflies are important to their environments both as predators (particularly of mosquitos) and as prey to birds and fish. Also, they have three simple eyes or ocelli. These are just two of the characteristics that qualify it as an insect. They are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness in Japan, but seen as sinister in European folklore. All 93. Naiads can forcefully expel a jet of water to propel themselves with great rapidity. There are remarkable variations in the presence and the form of the penis and the related structures, the flagellum, cornua, and genital lobes. Dragonfly species (Anisoptera) are characterized by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings that, while generally transparent, may have coloured markings. [12], The thorax consists of three segments as in all insects. How this animal can survive is a mystery. "[110], The poet Lord Tennyson, described a dragonfly splitting its old skin and emerging shining metallic blue like "sapphire mail" in his 1842 poem "The Two Voices", with the lines "An inner impulse rent the veil / Of his old husk: from head to tail / Came out clear plates of sapphire mail. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in colour, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. Like adult dragonflies, the nymphs are predators. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. Who buys lion bones? The fast-growing invasive species blocks out sunlight that sustains the grasses. Thanks to two huge compound eyes, the dragonfly has nearly 360 vision and can see a wider spectrum of colors than humans. Each compound eye contains 28,000 lenses or ommatidia and a dragonfly uses about 80% of its brain to process all of the visual information it receives., Dragonflies are able to move each of their four wings independently. Swarms of feeding adults aggregate to prey on swarming prey such as emerging flying ants or termites. Commonly known as pantala flavescens, the globe skimmer, wandering glider, and globe wanderer, gliders are the most widespread dragonflies in the world. They are often associated with snakes, as in the Welsh name gwas-y-neidr, "adder's servant". [93]:2527 The Norwegian name for dragonflies is yenstikker ("eye-poker"), and in Portugal, they are sometimes called tira-olhos ("eyes-snatcher"). several characteristics in common. The result is a "micro-aerial vehicle that's smaller, lighter and stealthier than anything else that's manmade". 31 Animals with Weird and Funny Sounding Names, Ophiophagy Examples of animals that eat snakes. [21] The treeline emerald also lives in northern Alaska, within the Arctic Circle, making it the most northerly of all dragonflies. [27] The thorax bears two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. They referred to dragonflies as "snake doctors" because they believed dragonflies followed snakes into the ground and healed them if they were injured. Dragonfly wings behave highly dynamically during flight, flexing and twisting during each beat. Updates? [115], A dragonfly has been genetically modified with light-sensitive "steering neurons" in its nerve cord to create a cyborg-like "DragonflEye". Miniature sensors, a computer chip and a solar panel were fitted in a "backpack" over the insect's thorax in front of its wings.
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