Dragonfly

Zoom, zoom ancient, little dragons.

• Dragonflies belong to the insect group called Odonata species, and are close relatives to damselflies which also belong to this group. They are found worldwide, except in Antarctica.
• Adult dragonflies have large eyes, a long abdomen body and two pairs of large, transparent wings.  They usually rest with their wings spread out.
• Dragonfly wings can beat in opposite directions, allowing the dragonfly to hover and fly backwards as well as fly forwards.  They zoom through the air and can fly at speeds of 58 km/h (36 mph).
• Dragonfly adults lay their eggs by dropping them on water.  The eggs hatch into dragonfly nymphs which have good legs, eyes and jaws and live underwater.

• In Spring or Summer, a mature nymph climbs out of the water and moults wings and becomes an adult dragonfly.
• The markings of a female are normally different to a male’s markings.
• Adult dragonflies have larger eyes and are more colourful than dragonfly nymphs.
• Adult dragonflies eat insects and small water creatures and us their feet to capture prey.
• Dragonfly nymphs hunt small water creatures and fish using stealth, ambushing and stalking techniques.  When its prey is close enough, the nymph shoots out a harpoon like mask that stabs and reels in the prey.
• Dragonflies are threatened due to the drainage of wetlands were they lay eggs and nymphs survive.

Bibliography:
Burnie, D 2005, E.Explore Insect, Dorling Kindersley, Great Britian

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