Dragonflies .. . . We Have Many Of Them This Year . Why And What Do They Do ?
Question:We don't have a lake or pond in our yard(we do have a little 5ft pond but that can't be it) and we have many more dragonflies this year . We strated a Bird and Butterfly garden last year and maybe that also attracts dragonflies . But I don't know for sure .
And what do dragonflies do ? What attracts them ? And do you know how many different varieties there are ?
Answers:
I don't know how many different varieties we have, but there does seem to be an overabundance of them. Let'em eat ...mosquito larvae etc.
The dragonfly is a flying insect that can hover in mid-air. It eats other insects, catching them while it is flying. There are many different species of dragonflies, and most of them are found near water. The earliest dragonflies appeared over 300 million years ago.
Like all insects, the dragonfly has a three-part body: a head, a thorax, and a long, thin, segmented abdomen. The dragonfly has 2 large compound eyes that take up most of the head. On the short thorax there are three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of long, delicate, membranous wings. The dragonfly breathes through spiracles (tiny holes in the abdomen).
Life cycle: A dragonfly undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. The larva hatches from an egg which is laid in water, in plants near water, or even underwater. As this aquatic (living in the water) larva (called a nymph) grows, it molts (loses its old skin) many times. When fully-grown, it emerges from the water, using the claws on its feet to crawl onto a plant. The dragonfly flies away over land. It only returns to the water to reproduce and continue this cycle. The life span ranges from about 6 months to over 7 years (most of it is spent in the nymph stage - the adult lives for only a few weeks).
Classification: Kingdom Animalia; Phylum Arthropoda
they eat mosquitoes- rejoice.
Yep, get that Off spray ready, those dragonflies wouldn't be there if it wasn't for a heads-up knowing that mosquitoes will be plentiful soon. Put out some citronella candles in the late evenings after the dragonflies go to nest.
It really doesn't take much water for a dragonfly to lay eggs and hatch.
I don't know how many varieties there are of dragonflies, but I can tell you that they're among your best friends outside: They eat insect pests such as flies and mosquitoes.
Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, midges and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dragonfly.
They have a long list of North America varieties.
Maybe that is why you have so many. Your butterfly garden is giving them food.
Dragon flies eat mosquitoes, flies, beetles and other flying insects .They catch there prey on the wing.
The fact that their about may indicate an increase in other bugs and maybe doing natural pest control for you.
Dragon flies and Damselflies are in no way a pest to humans. In fact their activities may be beneficial.
there is no reason to kill them.
I think they are pretty cool myself. I used to play with them when I was a kid and then let 'em go. I don't know if they bite but I never was bitten by one. They'll use your fishing pole for a perch if your around a lake or pond. That is when I would catch them.
Anyway. There are probably as many varieties of dragon flies as there are cookies. I do know one thing. They eat all the bugs we hate. They catch them in flight much like a bat does at night.
I saw one literally grab a red wasp in flight one time and had it pretty much under control within seconds.
Another couple of friendly predators for your gardens are lady bugs and praying mantis.
I hate flies, you need to get a pest control to get rid of them
They are great mosquito control...over 5000 species worldwide and about 450 species in North America.
I also have seen many dragonflies this year - I am in Western NY state. The answers to your post give me good news about them - I think they are pretty cool looking. I also have many bumblebees, which is really good news. Many butterflies also. I am hoping for some hummingbirds and look forward to the fireflies.
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