Below is the external anatomy of an adult Dragonfly. Some English vernacular names, such as "horse-stinger",[103] "devil's darning needle", and "ear cutter", link them with evil or injury. dragonfly, (suborder Anisoptera), also called darner, devils arrow, or devils darning needle, any of a group of roughly 3,000 species of aerial predatory insects most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world. Odonata - Wikipedia Three terminal appendages are on segment 10; a pair of superiors (claspers) and an inferior. 3. Living on every continent but Antarctica, these insects are instantly recognizable by their large bodies; four long, horizontal wings; and the way they hover and zip around. Adults may require emergent or waterside plants to use as perches; others may need specific submerged or floating plants on which to lay eggs. Two prominent features distinguish insects from other arthropods, and from all other animals: they have bodies divided into three segments, head, thorax and abdomen and they have six jointed legs. Some species lay their eggs inside plant tissue, others attach their eggs to substrates at or above the waters surface, and some may drop or wash their eggs from their abdomen onto water. Forced to follow the rains that replenish their breeding sites, the globe skimmerone of several species that's known to spawn in temporary freshwater poolsset a new insect world record when a biologist documented its 11,000 mile trip between India and Africa.. Facts About the Glasswing Butterfly | Sciencing [2] They are fast, agile fliers capable of highly accurate aerial ambush, sometimes migrating across oceans, and often live near water. [57], The nymph stage of dragonflies lasts up to five years in large species, and between two months and three years in smaller species. Larvae absorb oxygen from the water using gills inside the rectum. This arrester system is unique to the Odonata, and is activated when feeding and during tandem flight. 29 Damselflies. [109], Dragonfly symbol on a Hopi bowl from Sikytki, Arizona, c. 14001625. [59], The sex ratio of male to female dragonflies varies both temporally and spatially. [56] Some naiads, such as the later stages of Antipodophlebia asthenes, hunt on land. But the praying mantis anatomy is designed to be a predator. The dragonfly is a lesser-known symbol in Feng Shui. The dragonfly mistakes the pebbles for prey, gets tangled in the hair, and is dragged to the ground by the weight. Dragonfly Anatomy - Illustration & Diagram Of A Dragonfly - Animal Corner The wing structure of several insects, including dragonflies, is not smooth, but corrugated; its vertical cross-section consists of a connected series of line segments. The lower jaw has a huge, extensible labium, armed with hooks and spines, which is used for catching prey. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as "naiads") and as adults. [25], In high-speed territorial battles between male Australian emperors (Hemianax papuensis), the fighting dragonflies adjust their flight paths to appear stationary to their rivals, minimizing the chance of being detected as they approach. The abdomen draws water in and pumps it out again through the anus. Male dragonflies use these anal appendages during mating. [41] Some species prefer flowing waters, while others prefer standing water. Unwanted mating is energetically costly for females because it affects the amount of time that they are able to spend foraging. Thanks to two huge compound eyes, the dragonfly has nearly 360 vision and can see a wider spectrum of colors than humans. Each compound eye contains 28,000 lenses or ommatidia and a dragonfly uses about 80% of its brain to process all of the visual information it receives., Dragonflies are able to move each of their four wings independently. Dragonfly Characteristics - Nature | ScienceBriefss.com The female then curls her abdomen downwards and forwards under her body to pick up the sperm from the male's secondary genitalia, while the male uses his "tail" claspers to grip the female behind the head: this distinctive posture is called the "heart" or "wheel";[39][51] the pair may also be described as being "in cop". Praying mantis are built to locate, hunt and subdue its prey before making . Figure 5.29: Anax junius (Aeshnidae) larva . Eventually, the larva crawls out of the water (often at night) and molts one last time, emerging as an adult and leaving behind a cast skin (exuvia). Dragonflies and Damselflies - Insect Identification [69], Becoming too hot is another hazard, and a sunny or shady position for perching can be selected according to the ambient temperature. [104] The Southern United States terms "snake doctor" and "snake feeder" refer to a folk belief that dragonflies catch insects for snakes or follow snakes around and stitch them back together if they are injured. In 2008 she posted online articles to help rabbit owners throughout the world. Eyes Dragonflies have much larger eyes than damselflies. Only dragonfly nymphs have internal gills, called a branchial chamber, located around the fourth and fifth abdominal segments. Figure 5.28: Lestes vigilax (Lestidae) larva, Dorsal View. Accurately drawn dragonflies by Moses Harris, 1780: At top left, the brown hawker, Aeshna grandis (described by Linnaeus, 1758); the nymph at lower left is shown with the "mask" extended. [32] The general body plan is similar to that of an adult, but the nymph lacks wings and reproductive organs. Order Odonata - ENT 425 - General Entomology - North Carolina State [39], Dragonflies as a group occupy a considerable variety of habitats, but many species, and some families, have their own specific environmental requirements. The dragonfly and its smaller cousin, the damselfly, belong to an ancient order of insects known as Odonata and have carried symbolic meaning for centuries. Typically, a darner dragonfly has a thick thorax and a long abdomen, and the abdomen is slightly narrower just behind the thorax. The mesothorax and metathorax are fused into a rigid, box-like structure with internal bracing, and provide a robust attachment for the powerful wing muscles inside. Is a dragonfly an insect or a bug? 8 Spiritual Meanings of Dragonfly - Miller's Guild [41] The chemistry of the water, including its trophic status (degree of enrichment with nutrients) and pH can also affect its use by dragonflies. 10 Fascinating Facts About Dragonflies. [92] For the Navajo, dragonflies symbolize pure water. Mating takes just a few seconds, after which the female can immediately lay her eggs. [89][90], A blue-glazed faience dragonfly amulet was found by Flinders Petrie at Lahun, from the Late Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt. All 93. Dragonflies -The Hawks of the Insect World Are Important Environmental Indicators.Biophilia Foundation. The forerunners of modern Odonata are included in a clade called the Panodonata, which include the basal Zygoptera (damselflies) and the Anisoptera (true dragonflies). [61] They have four different styles of flight. They are our reminder to lighten our thoughts and habits. [93]:2026, As a seasonal symbol in Japan, dragonflies are associated with season of autumn. The large eyes appear out of proportion to the rest of the head and body. This may also help to avoid desiccation. Whether delicately perched on a cattail or hovering over a pond, dragonflies are a sure sign of summer. Adults live only about a month, hunting flies, mosquitos, and midges. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in colour, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. When the naiad is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it stops feeding and makes its way to the surface, generally at night. The meanings of the dragonfly differ from culture to culture. Omissions? Odonata, insect order comprising the dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera). [18] Their altitudinal limit is about 3700 m, represented by a species of Aeshna in the Pamirs. [17], Dragonflies live from sea level up to the mountains, decreasing in species diversity with altitude. 8 Things You Never Knew About Dragonflies - Treehugger In fact, according to one dragonfly myth, the uncanny creatures would sew up the lips of unsuspecting humans. The dragonfly appears in the second stage and therefore this paper will only cover the first two stages. The wings of male dragoinflies are relatively longer and narrower than females in large species. Dragonflies have 6 legs and two pairs of wings. The head is large with very short antennae. These internal gills consist originally of six longidudinal folds, each side supported by cross-folds. Express your true feelings Dragonflies are the more common of the two and both share many of the same physical characteristics and behaviors. [81] Trematodes are parasites of vertebrates such as frogs, with complex life cycles often involving a period as a stage called a cercaria in a secondary host, a snail. [50] The pair flies in tandem with the male in front, typically perching on a twig or plant stem. Solid waste is also expelled in this manner. Corrections? Many dragonflies are beautifully colored with greens, reds, yellows and blues. [21] The treeline emerald also lives in northern Alaska, within the Arctic Circle, making it the most northerly of all dragonflies. Miniature sensors, a computer chip and a solar panel were fitted in a "backpack" over the insect's thorax in front of its wings. cercus - The outer pair of anal appendages on anisopteran larvae. The winged adults are diversely coloured in a variety of shades ranging from metallic to pastel. Of course, that's not even remotely true. Some species lie in wait for prey and hide by either burrowing in the mud or resting within the vegetation. Often stylized in a double-barred cross design, dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery, as well as Hopi rock art and Pueblo necklaces. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-dragonflies-1968249. Species that fly low and slow may be most at risk. In any one area, individuals of a particular "spring species" emerge within a few days of each other. [46] Some dragonflies signal ownership with striking colours on the face, abdomen, legs, or wings. Dragonflies - Important Environmental Indicators - Biophilia Foundation Dragonflies can move straight up or down, fly backward, stop and hover, and make hairpin turnsat full speed or in slow motion. Odonates are found near fresh water sources and are active on pleasant sunny days. Some previous studies have reported that corrugated wings exhibit better aerodynamic performance than flat wings at low Reynolds numbers (ten to the third). The nymph extends its hinged labium (a toothed mouthpart similar to a lower mandible, which is sometimes termed as a "mask" as it is normally folded and held before the face) that can extend forward and retract rapidly to capture prey such as mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and small fish. The backward speed is approximately three body lengths per second, while the forward flight speed can reach up to 100 body lengths per second. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. First, the male has to attract a female to his territory, continually driving off rival males. Body Parts of a Praying Mantis | Sciencing But there are also clear differences between dragonflies and damselflies, outlined in the table below. [75], Although dragonflies are swift and agile fliers, some predators are fast enough to catch them. Because the sets of wings operate independently, dragonflies can hover in one place for up to a minute. Gliding, with the wings held out, is used in three situations: free gliding, for a few seconds in between bursts of powered flight; gliding in the updraft at the crest of a hill, effectively hovering by falling at the same speed as the updraft; and in certain dragonflies such as darters, when "in cop" with a male, the female sometimes simply glides while the male pulls the pair along by beating his wings. The eyes take up most of the head; the thorax is approximately two to three times the size of the head, and the wings and legs are attached to the thorax. In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. Each dragonfly has six legs, four wings, a head, thorax and abdomen. [78] Amur falcons, which migrate over the Indian Ocean at a period that coincides with the migration of the globe skimmer dragonfly, Pantala flavescens, may actually be feeding on them while on the wing. This labium is folded under the body at rest and struck out at great speed by hydraulic pressure created by the abdominal muscles. Clear Wings. Dragonflies get categorized as beneficial insects because they eat so many harmful insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, ants termites, along with other insects and arachnids. Researchers found that six of 15 encounters involved motion camouflage. On a hot day, dragonflies sometimes adjust their body temperature by skimming over a water surface and briefly touching it, often three times in quick succession. Dragonfly wing muscles must be warm to function optimally, and so, if cool, the insect often engages in wing-whirring and basking in the sun to generate heat before taking flight. [64] In general, large dragonflies like the hawkers have a maximum speed of 3654km/h (2234mph) with average cruising speed of about 16km/h (9.9mph). A female must mate with the territory holder before laying her eggs. Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees. Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies - University of California Museum Studies reveal that black saddlebags can eat up several species of mosquito larvae, devouring almost 38 larvae in just two days. The compound eyes are made up of ommatidia, the numbers being greater in the larger species. In 2009 she created her own rabbit rescue-related website, where she continues to post articles to this day. An analysis of some 18th century dragonfly illustrations", "Draper's Genetically Modified Cyborg DragonflEye Takes Flight", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dragonfly&oldid=1151117441, Counter-stroking, with forewings beating 180, Phased-stroking, with the hindwings beating 90 ahead of the forewings, is used for fast flight. Even better, these large-eyed aeronauts love to feed on pests like mosquitoes and midges for which we can be truly gratefulbut those aren't the only interesting qualities that make them so fascinating. Like adult dragonflies, the nymphs are predators. [28] Some have their bodies covered with a pale blue, waxy powderiness called pruinosity; it wears off when scraped during mating, leaving darker areas. Inside South Africas skeleton trade. Dragonfly Meaning and Symbolism: Facts, Myths and Messages - Sparkous Light is sent down flexible light-pipes named optrodes[c] from the backpack into the nerve cord to give steering commands to the insect. Females are longer and thinner than the males, who display a 'waisted' appearance. Their copulatory organs are on the underside of the abdomen, up around the second and third segments. By contrast, damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) have slender bodies and fly more weakly; most species fold their wings over the abdomen when stationary, and the eyes are well separated on the sides of the head. Notes: Unlike most other dragonfly larvae, which sit and wait for prey, aeshnid larvae stalk their prey. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. Petalura gigantea has 23890 ommatidia of just one size. Akitsu is an old word for dragonfly, so one interpretation of Akitsushima is "Dragonfly Island". Other kinds of dragonflies don't defend specific territories but still behave aggressively toward other males that cross their flight paths or dare to approach their perches. 14 Fun Facts About Dragonflies | Science| Smithsonian Magazine 14 Fun Facts About Dragonflies.Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Institution, 5 Oct. 2011. Darners, Family Aeshnidae - ThoughtCo [93]:2527 The Norwegian name for dragonflies is yenstikker ("eye-poker"), and in Portugal, they are sometimes called tira-olhos ("eyes-snatcher"). [95], In both China and Japan, dragonflies have been used in traditional medicine. Requirements may be highly specific, as in Aeshna viridis (green hawker), which lives in swamps with the water-soldier, Stratiotes aloides. They referred to dragonflies as "snake doctors" because they believed dragonflies followed snakes into the ground and healed them if they were injured. Their eyes are compound -they consist of 24,000 ommatidia (or tiny eyes). They also have a very robust body structure to support a massive musculature that propels their large, broad wings. Colors of different dragonfly species range from metallic green and blue to dark brown and black with blue and green spots of colors. [62], Old and unreliable claims are made that dragonflies such as the southern giant darner can fly up to 97km/h (60mph). Dragonfly wings behave highly dynamically during flight, flexing and twisting during each beat. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [71] Dragonflies are also some of the insect world's most efficient hunters, catching up to 95% of the prey they pursue. They have large eyes that take up nearly the entire head surface and when not contiguous are not as widely separated as within the damselflies (see the key below). A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. Updated November 22, 2019. However, the majority of species live in tropical areas and have been little studied. Zielinski, Sarah. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. [36], Some dragonflies, such as the green darner, Anax junius, have a noniridescent blue that is produced structurally by scatter from arrays of tiny spheres in the endoplasmic reticulum of epidermal cells underneath the cuticle. They are often associated with snakes, as in the Welsh name gwas-y-neidr, "adder's servant". How this animal can survive is a mystery. Overview of the Biggest Bugs That Ever Lived, How to Identify the Common Green Darner Dragonfly, Daddy Longlegs: Arachnids, but Not Spiders, How to Distinguish Between a Dragonfly and a Damselfly, Dragonflies -The Hawks of the Insect World Are Important Environmental Indicators, B.A., Political Science, Rutgers University. Updates? The globe skimmer (or wandering glider, Pantala flavescens), a migratory dragonfly, for example, makes an annual multigenerational journey of some 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles); to complete the migration, individual globe skimmers fly more than 6,000 km (3,730 miles)one of the farthest known migrations of all insect species. Their staple diet is mostly bloodworms and other insect larvae, but they also feed on tadpoles and small fish. Freshly emerged adults, known as tenerals, are often pale, and obtain their typical colours after a few days. The territory contains desirable features such as a sunlit stretch of shallow water, a special plant species, or the preferred substrate for egg-laying. A dragonfly's eyes take up most of the insect's head, wrapping around to the sides of its head.
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