How Are Dragonflies Different from Other Insects?

The distinctive-looking dragonfly, with its eerie eyes and four paper-thin wings, is usually found flitting around lakes, ponds, and other wetlands, feeding on bothersome insects such as mosquitoes and flies. Dragonflies have six legs, but they cannot walk. Instead, the appendages are used for catching and holding prey, or for perching on plants.

The legs of their larvae, however, are used for ambulation. When a dragonfly larva, known as a nymph, is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other aquatic plant, and finds a dry place to emerge.

An insect with a long past:

• There are about 5,300 species of dragonflies. The insects have been around for about 300 million years.
• The larval stage of some dragonflies, spent under water, can last as long as five years.
• It is easy to mistake the damselfly for the dragonfly because they look alike, but adult damselflies have thinner, more delicate bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes dragonflies in terms of their wing structure compared to other insects?

Dragonflies possess two sets of independently moving wings, unlike most insects which have wings that are either connected or operate in unison. This unique feature allows for exceptional maneuverability, enabling dragonflies to hover, fly backward, and change direction mid-air with remarkable agility. Their wings are also transparent and elongated, contributing to their distinctive appearance.

How do dragonflies' eyes differ from those of other insects?

Dragonflies have compound eyes that are exceptionally large and spherical, covering most of their head. These eyes are composed of up to 30,000 individual lenses, providing a nearly 360-degree field of vision. This panoramic sight is unparalleled in the insect world and is crucial for their predatory lifestyle, as it allows them to detect the slightest movements of potential prey.

What is unique about the dragonfly's life cycle?

Dragonflies undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, which is different from the complete metamorphosis seen in many other insects. Their life cycle includes three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The nymph stage is aquatic and can last up to several years, during which the nymphs are voracious predators in freshwater habitats. The transition to the adult stage is a dramatic transformation, where the nymph emerges from the water and sheds its exoskeleton to reveal the winged adult.

How do dragonflies contribute to their ecosystems?

Dragonflies are apex predators in their aquatic nymph stage and as airborne adults. They play a critical role in controlling mosquito populations and other small insects, which helps to prevent the spread of diseases like malaria and West Nile virus. Their presence is also an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, as they require clean water for their nymphs to thrive.

Can dragonflies fly as fast as other insects?

Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Their speed, combined with their aerial agility, makes them formidable hunters. Their flight capabilities far surpass those of many other insect species, which typically fly at much slower speeds.

Are dragonflies found worldwide, and do they migrate like some other insects?

Dragonflies are found on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in a wide range of habitats, particularly near bodies of freshwater. Some species of dragonflies do migrate, such as the globe skimmer (Pantala flavescens), which has the longest migration of any insect, traveling thousands of miles across oceans and continents. This migratory behavior is a unique adaptation among dragonflies.