Dragonflies

Information about Dragonflies:

Dragonflies are large, heavy-bodied insects that belong to the order Odonata. They are similar to damselflies, with one of the notable differences being dragonfly’s wings do not fold behind them when at rest, as they do with damselflies. They begin life in the water as nymphs, feeding on other water insects like mosquito larvae, but also tadpoles and even small fish. The dragonfly is usually not very far from a freshwater source, such as a pond, lake or slow moving stream.

They are highly predacious, and feed on many nuisance insects like mosquitoes and flies. They will eat nearly any insect they can catch, including bees, ants and even the occasional butterfly. In prehistoric times they were much larger than today’s species. In fact they were the largest flying insects to ever live on earth. The largest member of these extinct dragonflies had a wing span of about 30 inches (70-75 cm).

Dragonflies are considered highly symbolic in many of the world’s cultures. In Japanese literature and art, dragonflies are often the symbolize courage, strength, and happiness.