Dragonflies live in fresh water all over the world. Below we talk more about it, how it lives, reproduces, and feeds, and the most prominent facts about it.
In this article in TekeTrek Website, we will introduce you to the most important information related to this object. Follow along with us.
About dragonfly
- The dragonfly belongs to the Anisoptera family, which is known as the true dragonfly (Anisoptera).
- The dragonfly is classified as a member of the Zygoptera family, an insect characterized by its ability to fly and its distinctive way of life in the adult stage.
- Dragonflies belong to the Insecta class, which includes a large group of creatures with separated wings.
- Dragonflies also belong to the phylum Arthropoda, which includes many creatures with jointed limbs and segmented bodies.
- In addition, the dragonfly is distinguished by its long body, transparent wings, and large, powerful eyes.
- It also has fine branches on its wings that enable it to adjust the air precisely to achieve fast and skillful flight.
Dragonfly animal sections
The dragonfly is divided into several main sections, which are:
- Head: The head contains eyes that help the dragonfly’s vision process, as well as small, short horns used for sense and balance. It also has a mouth that can capture and eat prey.
- Thorax: contains the wings and legs that the dragonfly uses to fly and move on the ground. In addition, there are respiratory organs on the chest that allow the dragonfly to breathe.
- Abdomen: The abdomen consists of several sections that include important organs such as the intestines, reproductive organs, and nerves. In addition, the abdomen contains the base of the tail, which helps the dragonfly balance during flight.
- Tail: The tail is an important part of the dragonfly’s body, as it helps with its balance and control during flight and movement on the ground.
The ecological importance of dragonflies
Dragonflies are of great importance in the environment, as they play a major role in improving the health of agricultural crops and fruit trees, including:
- Pest control: Dragonflies are considered one of the most prominent natural agents that contribute to combating harmful insects that attack agricultural crops and fruit trees. Thanks to its feeding on these insects, dragonflies reduce their numbers and reduce their negative impact on crops.
- Regulating the environmental balance: The dragonfly contributes to regulating the environmental balance in the agricultural system, as it helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases that may negatively affect agricultural crops and fruit trees.
- Improving soil quality: Thanks to its role in cleaning water and cleaning swamps and ponds, dragonflies can contribute to improving soil quality and maintaining the health of the aquatic environment surrounding crops.
Role in pollination: Some dragonfly species play an essential role in pollination, as they feed on other insects that may negatively affect the pollination process and the transfer of pollen between plants.
Nutrition in dragonflies
Dragonflies, or dragonflies, feed on other insects such as flies, mosquitoes, larvae, aquatic larvae, and other small insects. In addition, dragonflies are one of the beneficial pests that help combat harmful insects and maintain environmental balance. In addition, some dragonfly species may feed on small fish or other aquatic animals in their aquatic stages of development.
characters of dragonfly
The dragonfly is characterized by a thin body and transparent wings that enable it to fly gracefully. Among the most prominent facts about dragonflies are:
- Vital role: Dragonflies play an important role in the balance of the ecosystem, as they contribute to combating harmful insects such as mosquitoes.
- Life cycle: The dragonfly’s life cycle includes several stages, starting from laying eggs until it turns into a larvae and then to maturity.
- Brilliant flight: The dragonfly is distinguished by its superior ability to fly, as it uses its transparent wings to glide brilliantly over long distances.
- Environmental indicator: The presence of dragonflies in the environment is an important indicator of water quality, as these insects need clean water to live and reproduce.
- Benefit and Aesthetic: In addition to their environmental benefits, dragonflies are beautiful and attractive, making them very popular in nature shows and photography.
Dragonfly life cycle
The dragonfly goes through several stages in its life cycle, which are:
- The oviparous stage: The dragonfly’s life cycle begins when the female lays her eggs in water or on aquatic plants. Then the egg hatches and small larvae emerge from it.
- Larval stage: Larvae feed on small insects and other aquatic invertebrates. During this stage, the larvae develop and grow into a dragonfly.
- Adult stage: After transforming from a caterpillar into a dragonfly, the dragonfly is ready to fly and search for prey. The life of an adult dragonfly lasts only a short time, ranging from a few weeks.
Reproduction in dragonflies
Dragonflies usually reproduce in water. The stages of dragonfly reproduction are:
- Laying eggs: The female lays eggs in the water or on aquatic plants in the form of floaters or foam. These eggs appear in groups known as families.
- Hatching: After the eggs are laid, hatching occurs, which is usually achieved by the heat and moisture present in the aquatic environment. Small larvae emerge from the eggs.
- Nayaya stage: Nayaya live in water, where they feed on aquatic invertebrates and grow. This stage extends over a period of months before maturation.
- Maturation: After the nayas mature, they emerge from the water and transform into the final form of a dragonfly. This metamorphosis occurs by the adult emerging from the dragonfly’s old skin.
FAQ
Among the most common questions about dragonflies:
- What is the life span of a dragonfly?
The life span of a dragonfly ranges from 6 months to 7 years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
- Do dragonflies cause harm to humans?
No, dragonflies do not harm humans and are not considered a danger to them.
- Can a dragonfly fly at high speed?
Yes, dragonflies have the ability to fly at speeds of up to 56 kilometers per hour.
- Can the color of a dragonfly be an indicator of its age?
No, the color of dragonflies does not reflect their age, but rather depends on the gender and environmental conditions.
- Can dragonflies be used to combat mosquitoes?
Yes, some zoological and environmental parks use dragonflies to combat harmful insects such as mosquitoes.
- What is the danger of dragonflies?
Dragonflies are considered harmless to humans and do not bite or transmit diseases.
- What is the function of a dragonfly?
Dragonflies are beneficial insects for humans, as they feed on harmful insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
- What is the name of the female dragonfly?
The female dragonfly is called a “Dragonfly”.
- What does a dragonfly symbolize?
Dragonflies symbolize change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization.
- Why are dragonflies so special?
Dragonflies are special because of their unique ability to move in all directions, their stunning colors and intricate wing patterns.
- Why is it called a dragonfly?
Dragonflies are called dragonflies because of their large size, agile flight.
In short, dragonflies contribute to fighting mosquitoes. Its colors and types vary depending on the environment. It reproduces by laying eggs in water, and its stages of development include larvae and clubs until it reaches maturity.