10 Astonishing Facts About Dragonflies

Despite their name, dragonflies are neither actual dragons nor flies. Renowned for their distinct and captivating behaviors, they have inspired countless myths, stories, and artistic works, offering valuable insights into their natural and evolutionary history.
Are you intrigued by these winged wonders? We’ve enlisted ten fascinating facts about dragonflies to deepen your understanding of these mesmerizing creatures.
10 Astonishing Facts About Dragonflies
1: Dragonflies Have Been on Earth for Over 300 Million Years
Dragonfly fossils, dating back over 300 million years, are older than dinosaur fossils. This indicates that dragonflies are among the most ancient insects and some of the first winged insects to evolve.
This discovery provides insights into the evolution of insects and prehistoric ecosystem dynamics, highlighting dragonflies’ resilience and adaptability.
2: About 7,000 Species of Dragonflies Exist Worldwide
With approximately 7,000 species worldwide, dragonflies exhibit a stunning range of appearances and aerial abilities. The world’s largest dragonfly, Petalura ingentissima, or giant petaltail, can grow over five centimeters long. Belonging to the order Odonata, each dragonfly species plays a unique role in its ecosystem.
3: Dragonflies Are Among the Fastest Insects
The dragonfly, known to travel at a speed of 35 mph, is named the “fastest flying insect” by the Smithsonian. The two pairs of independently moving wings allow them to hover and give them complete control over their bodies in the air. This fact about dragonflies emphasizes their impressive physical abilities.
4: Dragonflies Have Two Giant Eyes
Dragonflies possess two massive compound eyes with 30,000 facets that gather information about their surroundings. This anatomical feature gives them nearly 360-degree vision.
Furthermore, these flutter flyers can locate a single insect in a swarm and avoid mid-air collisions with other insects. This extraordinary vision allows them to successfully navigate their surroundings, ensuring their survival and well-being.
5: Dragonflies Have Sharp Mandibles
Although dragonflies belong to the Odonata order, meaning “toothed one,” they lack teeth. Instead, they have sharp mandibles (a pair of appendages near the mouth) for tearing and eating prey.
Though the mandibles are harmless to humans, they can deliver a noticeable pinch. These mandibles enable the dragonflies to efficiently consume their prey, often while still in the air, highlighting their predatory abilities.
6: Dragonflies Snag Their Prey From Air
Dragonflies are skilled predators using their legs as baskets to catch and eat insects in the air. They boast exceptional vision and flying abilities, allowing them to pluck insects from the air and quickly eat their prey.
These darting drifters outperform lions and sharks, with 95% success rates. Their high success rate is attributed to their ability to predict and intercept their prey’s flight paths, demonstrating their advanced hunting tactics.
7: Dragonflies See UV and Polarized Light
One of the most noticeable facts about dragonflies is that their eyes’ four or five opsins (universal photoreceptor molecules) enable a clear vision of the normal color spectrum, UV light, and polarized light.
This advanced vision acts as an assistance to navigate and reduce the sun’s glare on water bodies for hunting and migration. Furthermore, the vision aids in detecting invisible movements and patterns, making these flying insects highly adapted to their surroundings.
8: Dragonfly Migrates up to 11,000 Miles
Yes, being masters of flight, some species of dragonflies can migrate up to 11,000 miles to seek resources or adapt to environmental changes.
Green darners (Anax junius) migrate south in swarms each fall, then return to spring in the north. The globe skimmer (Pantala flavescens), a species that spawns in temporary freshwater pools, set a new insect world record by traveling 11,000 miles between India and Africa during rainy seasons to replenish breeding sites.
9: Dragonflies Are Found on Every Continent Except Antarctica
Like all insects, dragonflies are ectothermic (cold-blooded), so they cannot regulate internal body temperature. Instead, they depend in large part on sunlight. So, dragonflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica, which is too cold for them to survive.
They thrive in warm climates and are found in wet habitats such as ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. During the summer, you may see them flying through the air, adding to the season’s vibrancy.
10: Life Expectancy of Dragonflies is Shorter
Yes, besides exhibiting amazing adaptability and characteristics, adult dragonflies’ lifespan is short, which is usually one to two weeks.
Some species, like the green darner (Anax junius), live only about four to seven weeks as winged adults, emphasizing their short but active lives. Despite their short lifespan, they spend their larval stage underwater which lies in the range of 5-7 years, creating a unique representation of their habitat.
Conclusion
Dragonflies are fascinating creatures with a 300 million-year history and aerial agility. They are vital guardians of freshwater ecosystems, ensuring ecological balance and environmental preservation.
The astonishing facts about dragonflies—from their ancient origins to their extensive migratory patterns that span thousands of miles—reveal their pivotal role in our ecosystem.
FAQs
What are 5 interesting facts about dragonflies?
1. Dragonflies have been on Earth for over 300 million years.
2. There are about 7,000 species of dragonflies worldwide.
3. Dragonflies are among the fastest insects.
4. Dragonflies have two giant eyes.
5. Dragonflies have sharp mandibles.
How far can a dragonfly fly without stopping?
A dragonfly set a new insect world record by flying 11,000 miles between India and Africa during the rainy season to replenish breeding sites.
How do dragonflies catch their food?
Dragonflies are skilled predators that use their legs as baskets to catch and eat insects in the air, using their sharp eyesight and flying abilities to quickly pluck prey.
How many days does a dragonfly live?
Adult dragonflies typically live for one to two weeks and grow quickly, spending the majority of their time as aquatic larvae before emerging as adults. However, sometimes, the lifespan can extend to six to eight months.
Do dragonflies see UV light?
Dragonflies, which have four or five opsins in their eyes, can see UV and polarized light. This allows them to navigate and reduce the sun’s glare on water bodies during hunting and migration.