What Do Dragonflies Eat and How to Attract Them

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What Is A Dragonfly?

A dragonfly is a type of insect that belongs to the order Odonata, which also includes damselflies. These insects are known for their large, colorful wings, long bodies, and distinctive bulging eyes. They are found throughout the world, and are most commonly found near bodies of water, such as ponds, streams, and rivers.

Appearance

Dragonflies are known for their striking appearance. Adult dragonflies have a long, slender body that can range in length from 1 to 2 inches. They have two sets of wings, the first set is large and transparent, while the second set is smaller and located behind the first set. Their wings are designed for fast and agile flight, which allows them to hover, fly backwards and forwards, and fly at high speeds. They have large, bulging eyes that provide them with excellent vision, and they also have sharp mandibles that they use to capture and crush their prey.

Life Cycle

Dragonflies have a unique life cycle that begins in the water. They start their lives as aquatic larvae, which are also known as nymphs. These larvae live in the water and feed on a variety of small aquatic animals. They spend several months to several years in the water, depending on the species, before they emerge as adult dragonflies. Once they have emerged, adult dragonflies live for several months to several years, depending on the species, during which time they feed on insects, nectar and pollen.

Behavior

Dragonflies are active during the day and they are known for their aerial acrobatics. They are also known for their hunting skills, they are able to capture a wide variety of flying and crawling insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, and beetles. They are also known to feed on small amounts of nectar and pollen. They are strong fliers and can fly at high speeds, but they are also able to hover in place, which allows them to capture their prey.

What Do Dragonflies Eat?

Dragonflies are fascinating creatures that are known for their vibrant colors and aerial acrobatics. These predatory insects are also known for their varied diet, which includes a wide range of small animals and plants. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of food that dragonflies eat, and how they hunt and consume their prey.

Insects

Dragonflies are primarily insectivorous, which means that they feed on a wide range of insects. Their diet includes a variety of flying and crawling insects, such as:

• Mosquitoes
• Flies
• Wasps
• Beetles
• Ants
• Grasshoppers
• Cicadas

Dragonflies use their sharp mandibles to capture and crush their prey, and their long, slender bodies and agile wings make them excellent hunters. They are able to hover in mid-air, and can make quick, sudden movements to capture their prey.

Aquatic Larvae

Dragonflies begin their lives as aquatic larvae, and during this stage, they feed on a variety of small aquatic animals. Some of the most common prey for dragonfly larvae include:

• Mosquito larvae
• Water fleas
• Midges
• Snails
• Small fish
• Tadpoles

Dragonfly larvae are able to capture their prey using their sharp mandibles, and they are also able to use their long, slender bodies to ambush and capture unsuspecting prey.

Plants

Since we know that dragonflies are known for their voracious appetites for insects, but they also eat plants as a part of their diet. Adult dragonflies feed on small amounts of nectar and pollen from a variety of plants.

Nectar

Dragonflies use their long proboscis to suck the nectar from flowers. They feed on nectar as a source of energy, and it also helps them maintain their body fluids. Some of the plants that dragonflies commonly feed on for nectar include:

• Wildflowers such as daisies, goldenrod, and milkweeds
• Garden flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and lantanas
• Trees such as willows and birches
• Pollen

Dragonflies also feed on pollen while they are resting or mating. Pollen provides dragonflies with essential proteins, lipids, and other nutrients. Some of the plants that dragonflies commonly feed on for pollen include:

• Trees such as pines, cedars, and firs
• Grasses such as wheat and barley
• Garden flowers like roses and lilies

It’s important to note that dragonflies are not a significant pest to any plants. Adult dragonflies consume only small amounts of nectar and pollen, and they do not cause any significant damage to the plants.

How To Attract Dragonflies?

Dragonflies are fascinating creatures that are known for their vibrant colors and aerial acrobatics. They are also beneficial insects that help control mosquito and other insect populations. If you want to attract dragonflies to your garden or backyard, there are a few things you can do to make your space more inviting to these winged predators.

Provide a Water Source

Dragonflies begin their lives as aquatic larvae, and they need a source of water to complete their life cycle. You can attract dragonflies to your garden by providing a shallow water source, such as a pond or a birdbath. Be sure to keep the water clean and free of debris, and consider adding a few aquatic plants to provide cover and food for the dragonfly larvae.

Plant a Variety of Flowers

Dragonflies are attracted to bright, colorful flowers that produce nectar. You can plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous food source for adult dragonflies. Some of the best flowers to plant for dragonflies include wildflowers such as daisies, goldenrod, and milkweeds, as well as garden flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and lantanas.

Provide a Place to Rest

Dragonflies need a place to rest and bask in the sun. You can provide a place for dragonflies to rest by installing a small pond or a birdbath with a shallow edge, or you can create a dragonfly garden by adding some rocks or a small log to your garden.

Avoid Pesticides

Dragonflies are sensitive to pesticides, so it’s important to avoid using them in your garden if you want to attract these beneficial insects. Instead, use natural pest control methods such as companion planting, hand picking, and attracting beneficial insects to keep pests under control.

Useful Products

Hands Free Insect Catcher
Extendable Bug Catching Net
Dragonfly Field Guide (book)
Magnifying Glass with Light

In conclusion, dragonflies are versatile predators that feed on a wide range of insects, aquatic animals, and plants. They use their sharp mandibles and agile bodies to capture and consume their prey, and they are able to adapt to different hunting environments and prey types.

Whether they are hunting in the air or in the water, dragonflies are true masters of their domain.

(Video) Using Dragonflies to Control Mosquitos

FAQs About Dragonflies

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