Life History: The dragonfly is among two other commonly grouped freshwater, flying insects: the mayfly and stonefly. The dragonfly is well known for its acrobatic ability and colorful exoskeleton.¹ Dragonflies are of the order Odonata. meaning "toothed jaw". Odanta contains three suborders: 1) Anisozygoptera which contains dragonflies that reminisce damselflies, but with larger eyes. This suborder only has two living species! which includes only two living species- one in the Himalayas and the other in Japan--although the fossil record shows that they were diverse. Secondly is 2) Anisoptera, which are the species of dragonflies with unequal fore-hind wings with large eyes as well and are powerful fliers! Lastly we have 3) Zygoptera, also know as damselflies, which have a narrow body, are weak, fluttering fliers and are the most primitive!¹
Anatomy/Biology: Dragonfly exemplify dual pairs of transparent wings, very large eyes containing over 30,000 oculars, a segmented abdomen, six jointed legs, toothed jaws, minute antennae, a clasper (males) and extendible jaws.² See the figures below for more info.
Anatomy/Biology: Dragonfly exemplify dual pairs of transparent wings, very large eyes containing over 30,000 oculars, a segmented abdomen, six jointed legs, toothed jaws, minute antennae, a clasper (males) and extendible jaws.² See the figures below for more info.
Images source: Mitten, Mandy. "Dragonfly Anatomy - Illustration & Diagram Of A Dragonfly." Animal Corner. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 June 2015. <http://animalcorner.co.uk/dragonfly-anatomy/>.
Diet: As larvae, dragonflies will eat tadpoles and smaller fish. As adults they mostly eat other small insects, primarily mosquitoes. Dragonflies are carnivorous in both larval and adult stages. (4)
Life cycle: Dragonflies have three stages of development: egg, larval and adult. As an egg, they develop in water take two to three weeks to hatch. As larvae, dragonflies live under the water using their gills to breathe. Dragonflies can live in the water as larvae for two to three years. Before becoming an adult, dragonflies come out of the water and shed their skin. As adults, dragonflies can live for over a year in a warm environment. (4)
References
1. Miller, P. L. Dragonflies. Slough, England: Richmond Pub., 1995. Print.
2. "Dragonflies, Mayflies and Stoneflies." Dragonflies, Mayflies and Stoneflies. Natural History Museum, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015.
3. Brooks, Steve. "Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland." Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. NHBS, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015.
4. "Dragonfly." Bug Facts. Bug Facts, 2008. Web. 06 June 2015. <http://www.bugfacts.net/dragonfly.php>.
Life cycle: Dragonflies have three stages of development: egg, larval and adult. As an egg, they develop in water take two to three weeks to hatch. As larvae, dragonflies live under the water using their gills to breathe. Dragonflies can live in the water as larvae for two to three years. Before becoming an adult, dragonflies come out of the water and shed their skin. As adults, dragonflies can live for over a year in a warm environment. (4)
References
1. Miller, P. L. Dragonflies. Slough, England: Richmond Pub., 1995. Print.
2. "Dragonflies, Mayflies and Stoneflies." Dragonflies, Mayflies and Stoneflies. Natural History Museum, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015.
3. Brooks, Steve. "Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland." Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. NHBS, n.d. Web. 05 June 2015.
4. "Dragonfly." Bug Facts. Bug Facts, 2008. Web. 06 June 2015. <http://www.bugfacts.net/dragonfly.php>.