Dragonfly: Predator of Beauty, a Most Welcome Insect
Harbingers of summer and eliminator of pests, the beautiful dragonfly has arrived.
A voracious predator of insects such as mosquitoes and flies, the dragonfly also eats ants, bees and butterflies. Found around lakes, ponds and wetlands where they breed, hatch and hunt, these beautiful insects keep populations of pesky mosquitoes at bay. The humming sound of the dragonfly’s wings is feared by mosquitoes which sense danger and flee. But still, many fall prey to this talented killer of the sky.
Some enterprising people have even created ‘ultrasonic mosquito repeller’ devices. Carried on the person, they emit a high-pitched droning whistle that is supposed to emulate the sound of dragonfly wings and thus, repel mosquitoes. I doubt if they really work. Mine didn’t do much. Nothing beats the real thing, the dragonfly!
Dragonflies neither bite nor sting. But the juvenile dragonfly babies called “nymphs”, on the other hand, they can deliver a fairly painful bite. They are quite ugly, yes?
The larval stage of some dragonflies can be as short as several months, others, as long as five years! They spend nearly all their lives under water in this nymph form. The nymphs of some species can leave the water for brief periods to hunt for insects upon the land or climb up upon plants that extend out of the water, to search for prey. Some nymphs can even catch and eat tadpoles!
Most species of dragonflies when they leave the water to molt into the adult form, will only live for several months. Seemingly, their life is too short.
Mystical, magical dragonfly’s wing!
He does not bite nor does he sting.
Ugly from birth but time behold
Their grace and beauty, tenfold!
Dreaded hunter of the mosquito, a dragonfly reposes! For your death is but part of the cycle of things. You provide life.
What would a farm pond or stream be without these wonderful insects? So harmless and free, the dragonfly epitomizes the sultry days of summer.
In Japan, when the dragonfly appears it is a sign that summer is nearly over and it is time to return to school.
Such beauty in flight is rarely seen. Perfectly designed in form and function. Long reign the dragonfly!
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24 Responses to “Dragonfly: Predator of Beauty, a Most Welcome Insect”
On November 13, 2008 at 5:06 am
Superb article, amazing pictures
On November 13, 2008 at 6:30 am
Great Article, I have always loved to see dragonflies, they make me think of my childhood in the Warwickshire countryside.
On November 13, 2008 at 6:42 am
Good pitures and narrative and a short poem thrown in for free. Thats a bargain!
On November 13, 2008 at 7:27 am
Yeah, -my poem (yes, that’s mine) started out to be haiku, but I didn’t really follow the true haiku standard.
-thestickman
On November 13, 2008 at 9:05 am
Fantastic article and lovely pics.
On November 13, 2008 at 9:38 am
Awesome pics! Cute poem! Informative piece.
On November 13, 2008 at 10:07 am
They are such beautiful creatures.
On November 13, 2008 at 10:46 am
Great article and fantastic photos!
On November 13, 2008 at 11:09 am
I loved the pictures, this article had a bit of everything-well done.
On November 13, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Nice article!
On November 13, 2008 at 10:11 pm
They are absolutely beautiful and I didn’t realize they aren’t dangerous - thanks for sharing!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On November 14, 2008 at 5:22 am
FRee, yes, that’s the word. Free…………………….
On November 14, 2008 at 6:22 am
very good article with very nice and beautiful pics!!! Keep it up!!
On November 14, 2008 at 10:00 am
I’ve always liked dragonflies, and yet been a little afraid of them as well.
On November 15, 2008 at 8:52 am
really great article, the picture are fantastic.
On November 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
Beatifull, never knew dragonflyes where so beatifull.
Thanks for sharing
On December 5, 2008 at 12:03 am
Lovely poem and beautiful photographs.
After my “short” workvisit and “captivity” at the pool in Hyderabad
I was just feeling and thinking along the same lines :-):-):-)
On May 20, 2009 at 6:22 am
I like those pictures! How did you get those pictures?
Can I use the pictures for a project? PLEASE send a message to let me know!
Thank you,
J.A.C.
On May 20, 2009 at 6:33 am
Pictures are sourced via Flickr.com. You have to examine the author’s use statement, ensure that it is “Creative Commons” and permitted for commercial use.
Notice that each image has a “Image Source” link below it?
Google “Creative Commons” and learn what it means.
On May 20, 2009 at 5:54 pm
you’re very cool. I like all the pictures too.
On May 23, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hello,
How many eggs does a dragonfly lay at one time?
How many different species of dragonfly are there?
Thank you,
A.C.
On May 23, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hello,
Well first of all thank you for sending a message. How many legs
does a dragonfly have? Just wanted to know.
Thank you,
J.A.C.
On May 24, 2009 at 7:15 pm
# of legs? # specie? # of eggs? -You have a computer, -try “Google”
On July 7, 2009 at 10:56 pm
After observing 40 to 50 dragonflys swarming my back yard it was good to know their value to humans (me) in the first search.
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