dragonfly characteristics dragonfly characteristics

"[110] The poet Matsuo Bash (16441694) wrote haiku such as "Crimson pepper pod / add two pairs of wings, and look / darting dragonfly", relating the autumn season to the dragonfly. Praying mantis are built to locate, hunt and subdue its prey before making . In addition, dragonflies rest with their wings spread horizontally, rather than held vertically against each other (with the exception of one very small family, Epiophlebiidae). Who buys lion bones? [16], Some dragonflies, including libellulids and aeshnids, live in desert pools, for example in the Mojave Desert, where they are active in shade temperatures between 18 and 45C (64 and 113F); these insects were able to survive body temperatures above the thermal death point of insects of the same species in cooler places. 29 Damselflies. For example, the Gomphidae (clubtails) live in running water, and the Libellulidae (skimmers) live in still water. What are the Fastest Animals in the World? [20] In Kamchatka, only a few species of dragonfly including the treeline emerald Somatochlora arctica and some aeshnids such as Aeshna subarctica are found, possibly because of the low temperature of the lakes there. Flame Skimmer 1. [18] Their altitudinal limit is about 3700 m, represented by a species of Aeshna in the Pamirs. Examples include the hawkers (Aeshnidae), petaltails (Petaluridae), and clubtails (Gomphidae). Here's a picture of a mauring male. Some English vernacular names, such as "horse-stinger",[103] "devil's darning needle", and "ear cutter", link them with evil or injury. A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. [87], The dragonfly's long lifespan and low population density makes it vulnerable to disturbance, such as from collisions with vehicles on roads built near wetlands. ThoughtCo, Apr. [111] Hori Bakusui (17181783) similarly wrote "Dyed he is with the / Colour of autumnal days, / O red dragonfly. [56] Some naiads, such as the later stages of Antipodophlebia asthenes, hunt on land. Nymphs feed on a range of freshwater invertebrates and larger ones can prey on tadpoles and small fish. When they land, the female curls her abdomen under to meet his secondary genitalia, forming a mating wheel that can resemble the shape of a heart. Zielinski, Sarah. It remains stationary with its head out of the water, while its respiration system adapts to breathing air, then climbs up a reed or other emergent plant, and moults (ecdysis). Dragonflies do not walk. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Search for your true talents and try to release them 3. [68], The flight muscles need to be kept at a suitable temperature for the dragonfly to be able to fly. Blues are typically created by microstructures in the cuticle that reflect blue light. This arrester system is unique to the Odonata, and is activated when feeding and during tandem flight. Characteristics, Scientific Name, Classification, Taxonomy, Territorial Claims, and pictures of the Dragonhunter-Dragonfly (North America) . While both of those groups are sometimes referred to as "giant dragonflies", in fact true dragonflies/odonata are more modern insects that had not evolved yet. Damselfly nymphs swim by undulating their bodies. Firstly, the body structure of dragonfly was analyzed, and then the design scheme of flapping wing micro air vehicle was proposed based on the flight motion characteristics and musculoskeletal . Distribution: Common worldwide. 8. Dragonflies have also been known as snake doctors in the American South, owing to the superstition that they nurse ill snakes back to health. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Females are longer and thinner than the males, who display a 'waisted' appearance. Dragonflies, like damselflies, exhibit a mating posture unique to the Odonata. These were the Dragonflies and damselflies are often confused with one another because they share many characteristics, including membranous wings, large eyes, slender bodies, and small antennae . Green darners, for example, fly south each fall in sizeable swarms and then migrate north again in the spring. Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under water as the adults are in the air. Eyes Dragonflies have much larger eyes than damselflies. Around 7,000 species of true dragonflies are alive today, and, together with the closely related damselflies, they form the group Odonta, which goes back 325 million years. ThoughtCo. several characteristics in common. Dragonfly (top) and damselfly (bottom) wing shape and venation These insects characteristically have large rounded heads covered mostly by well-developed, compound eyes, which provide good vision, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated abdomens. This page was last edited on 22 April 2023, at 01:32. Also, they have three simple eyes or ocelli. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. [27] The thorax bears two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. 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. Male Dragonflies Fight for Territory 8. Adults may require emergent or waterside plants to use as perches; others may need specific submerged or floating plants on which to lay eggs. 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. [12], Dragonflies live on every continent except Antarctica. Break free from illusions or limitations 6. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The wings of dragonflies are mainly composed of veins and membranes, a typical nanocomposite material. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The naiads of some clubtails (Gomphidae) that burrow into the sediment, have a snorkel-like tube at the end of the abdomen enabling them to draw in clean water while they are buried in mud. Miniature sensors, a computer chip and a solar panel were fitted in a "backpack" over the insect's thorax in front of its wings. [55] They breathe through gills in their rectum, and can rapidly propel themselves by suddenly expelling water through the anus. At the end of the mask is a set of fanglike pincers used to seize prey such as worms, crustaceans, tadpoles, and small fish. [62], The wings are powered directly, unlike most families of insects, with the flight muscles attached to the wing bases. Dragonflies Are Masters of Flight 7. Commonly known as pantala flavescens, the globe skimmer, wandering glider, and globe wanderer, gliders are the most widespread dragonflies in the world. In some species, the nymphal stage lasts up to five years, and the adult stage may be as long as 10 weeks, but most species have an adult lifespan in the order of five weeks or less, and some survive for only a few days. These internal gills consist originally of six longidudinal folds, each side supported by cross-folds. Libellula saturata. Express your true feelings Dragonflies see faster than humans do; they see around 200 images per second. What is the lifespan of a dragonfly? Longer periods of stagnant flight would interfere with thermoregulation. Many dragonfly families have descriptive common names associated with their scientific names. Dragonflies have long, delicate, membranous wings which are transparent and some have light yellow coloring near the tips. 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. [92] For the Navajo, dragonflies symbolize pure water. Requirements may be highly specific, as in Aeshna viridis (green hawker), which lives in swamps with the water-soldier, Stratiotes aloides. Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour and fly just as gracefully backward by lifting off vertically, helicopter style. Early in the morning, they may choose to perch in a vertical position with the wings outstretched, while in the middle of the day, a horizontal stance may be chosen. Odonata, insect order comprising the dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera). Platyhelminthes", "Dragonflies: status survey and conservation action plan", "The latest buzz; In the world of design, dragonflies are flying high", "Plagiarism or pragmatism who cares? The slaty skimmer dragonfly Libellula incesta (pictured, an adult female) is native to eastern North America. Seize the moment and don't hesitate 4. The male-bias ratio has contributed partially to the females using different habitats to avoid male harassment. They are used in traditional medicine in Japan and China, and caught for food in Indonesia. Dragonflies have nearly 360-degree vision, with just one blind spot directly behind them. They are also capable of hovering in the air for about a minute. [41] Vegetation and its characteristics including submerged, floating, emergent, or waterside are also important. Dragonfly species (Anisoptera) are characterized by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings that, while generally transparent, may have coloured markings. Other characteristics that set the dragonfly apart from other insects are the eyes, wings, flight speed and maneuverability during flight. Below is the external anatomy of an adult Dragonfly. [7] Known informally as "griffinflies", their fossil record ends with the PermianTriassic extinction event (about 247Mya). Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? They are also symbols in the Chinese practices of Feng Shui, where placements of dragonfly statues and artwork in parts of a home or office are believed to bring new insights and positive changes. They, like the gigantic predinosaur griffinflies, lack the ability to fold their wings up against their bodies in the way modern insects do, although some evolved their own different way to do so. [24] The compound eyes meet at the top of the head (except in the Petaluridae and Gomphidae, as also in the genus Epiophlebia). Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees. [85][86] Dragonflies are steadily declining in Africa, and represent a conservation priority. Dragonfly Characteristics A Dragonfly has two large compound eyes which take up most of its head. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Larvae crawl from eggs laid in or near water. Colors of different dragonfly species range from metallic green and blue to dark brown and black with blue and green spots of colors. 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. The springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata), for example, is suddenly very common in the spring, but disappears a few weeks later and is not seen again until the following year. Rats invaded paradise. Wings Dragonflies have two sets of wings with a notch in the front edge of each wing. First the male goes through whats called self-insemination, curling his body to transfer sperm from his primary genitalia, at the tip of his abdomen, to the secondary genitalia, just below the thorax. [12] Most of a dragonfly's life is spent as a nymph, beneath the water's surface. A clutch may have as many as 1500 eggs, and they take about a week to hatch into aquatic nymphs or naiads which moult between six and 15 times (depending on species) as they grow. [83], In 1997, the International Union for Conservation of Nature set up a status survey and conservation action plan for dragonflies. dragonfly - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), dragonfly - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [54] In a few species, the eggs are laid on emergent plants above the water, and development is delayed until these have withered and become immersed. [48] Similarly, selection of habitat by adult dragonflies is not random, and terrestrial habitat patches may be held for up to 3 months. Dragonflies have a high power/weight ratio, and have been documented accelerating at 4 G linearly and 9 G in sharp turns while pursuing prey. Anisoptera (dragonflies) hind wings are broader near the base than the front wings. 10 Fascinating Facts About Dragonflies. Figure 5.29: Anax junius (Aeshnidae) larva . Larger species even dine on the occasional small fish or tadpole. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. And while they share some physical characteristics, there are four ways you can differentiate between the two, according to Mother Nature Network . All rights reserved, aquatic insects, mosquito larvae, or small fish, The International Union for Conservation of Nature now considers this dragonfly vulnerable to extinction, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in colour, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. Adults live only about a month, hunting flies, mosquitos, and midges. The colorful, acrobatic dragonfly may seem familiar, but this stunning macro film reveals the mysteries behind its metamorphic life cycle. The male then grasps the female by the head with the claspers at the end of his abdomen; the structure of the claspers varies between species, and may help to prevent interspecific mating. Dragonfly enters our life when our joy diminishes or when we start taking things too seriously. 64 Dragonflies Anisoptera. An adult dragonfly lives about six months. Dragonfly Mercury Project sample locations in Mount Rainier National Park. For example, the southwestern tribes, including the Pueblo, Hopi, and Zuni, associated dragonflies with transformation. Odonates are found near fresh water sources and are active on pleasant sunny days. In Japan, they are symbols of rebirth, courage, strength, and happiness. [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. It depends. They have bulging eyes somewhat similar to the adults, but possess a formidable anatomical structure not present in the adult. When they expel the water, they are propelled forward. When a nymph is finally ready for adulthood, it crawls out of the water onto a rock or plant stem and molts one final time. The obelisk position orients the dragonfly's abdomen directly at the sun, thereby reducing the surface area exposed to solar heating. Dragonflies do not harm people. Please select which sections you would like to print: Also known as: Anisoptera, darner, darning needle, devils arrow, devils darning needle. They cover most of the head and come together at the top. Other characteristics that set the dragonfly apart from other insects are the eyes, wings, flight speed and maneuverability during flight. Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem. 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. 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. [50] The pair flies in tandem with the male in front, typically perching on a twig or plant stem. By contrast, a "summer species" emerges over a period of weeks or months, later in the year. Other common insect features include compound eyes, wings, antennae and multiple-stage life cycles. [8] Today, some 3,000 species are extant around the world.[9][10]. Dragonflies feed on pest insects in rice, acting as a natural pest control. In reality, dragonflies present no danger to humans. Dragonflies have two sets of wings with a notch in the front edge of each wing. They undergo between six and 15 molts before emerging as fully formed adult dragonflies, a process that takes about 12 hours. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. dragonfly, (suborder Anisoptera), also called darner, devil's arrow, or devil's 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. Light is sent down flexible light-pipes named optrodes[c] from the backpack into the nerve cord to give steering commands to the insect. Some defend a territory against others of their own species, some against other species of dragonfly and a few against insects in unrelated groups. 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. Dragonflies begin their lives in the water. Even the smallest species are about 20 mm (0.8 inch) across. [75], Although dragonflies are swift and agile fliers, some predators are fast enough to catch them. [41] Some species live in temporary water pools and are capable of tolerating changes in water level, desiccation, and the resulting variations in temperature, but some genera such as Sympetrum (darters) have eggs and nymphs that can resist drought and are stimulated to grow rapidly in warm, shallow pools, also often benefiting from the absence of predators there. Competition for females is fierce, leading male dragonflies to aggressively fend off other suitors. Like all insects, dragonflies are technically ectotherms ("cold-blooded"), but that doesn't mean they're at the mercy of Mother Nature to keep them warm or cool. Landmarks may reduce the costs of territory establishment, or might serve as a spatial reference. About 3,000 extant species of true dragonflies are known. Male Dragonflies Have Multiple Sex Organs, 10. All rights reserved. The forerunners of modern Odonata are included in a clade called the Panodonata, which include the basal Zygoptera (damselflies) and the Anisoptera (true dragonflies). The damselfly nymph actually breathes through gillsinside its rectum. [12][73], Dragonfly vision is thought to be like slow motion for humans. Pupke, Chris. This extraordinary vision is one reason why they're able to keep a watch on a single insect within a swarm. Prehistoric-looking dragonflies can be a little intimidating as they swoop about the summer skies. This style creates more thrust, but less lift than counter-stroking, Synchronised-stroking, with forewings and hindwings beating together, is used when changing direction rapidly, as it maximises thrust. Dragonflies including Tramea lacerata (black saddlebags) may notice landmarks that assist in defining the boundaries of the territory. There are remarkable variations in the presence and the form of the penis and the related structures, the flagellum, cornua, and genital lobes. Furthermore, dragonflies are among the more agile flyers. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. Swarms of feeding adults aggregate to prey on swarming prey such as emerging flying ants or termites. Researchers found that six of 15 encounters involved motion camouflage. The adult dragonfly crawls out of its nymph exoskeleton, the exuvia, arching backwards when all but the tip of its abdomen is free, to allow its exoskeleton to harden. The dragon represents the four elements of change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization, which are present in all countries. They are our reminder to lighten our thoughts and habits. Updated November 22, 2019. The territory contains desirable features such as a sunlit stretch of shallow water, a special plant species, or the preferred substrate for egg-laying. 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. abdomen - The segmented tail-like section of the body. [11] On the cladogram, dashed lines indicate unresolved relationships; English names are given (in parentheses): About 3,012 species of dragonflies were known in 2010; these are classified into 348 genera in 11 families. [52], Egg-laying (ovipositing) involves not only the female darting over floating or waterside vegetation to deposit eggs on a suitable substrate, but also the male hovering above her or continuing to clasp her and flying in tandem. Animals Sitemap . They have a brown or black abdomen that has a distinct bright yellow pattern. The watercolourist Moses Harris (17311785), known for his The Aurelian or natural history of English insects (1766), published in 1780, the first scientific descriptions of several Odonata including the banded demoiselle, Calopteryx splendens. They are the perfect guides to ask questions like: If the nymph is eaten by a frog, the amphibian becomes infected by the adult or fluke stage of the trematode. The dragonfly mistakes the pebbles for prey, gets tangled in the hair, and is dragged to the ground by the weight. First, the male has to attract a female to his territory, continually driving off rival males. With the destruction of rainforest habitats, many of these species are in danger of becoming extinct before they have even been named. It has a chitinous exoskeleton of hard plates held together with flexible membranes. 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). Life Cycle The fast-growing invasive species blocks out sunlight that sustains the grasses. 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". [84] Over 60% of Japan's wetlands were lost in the 20th century, so its dragonflies now depend largely on rice fields, ponds, and creeks. 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. It is dominated by the two compound eyes, which cover most of its surface. [b][107], More recently, dragonfly watching has become popular in America as some birdwatchers seek new groups to observe. Unlike damselflies, the front and rear wing pairs are shaped differently. 3. Water mites, Hydracarina, can kill smaller dragonfly nymphs, and may also be seen on adults. After molting somewhere between six and 15 times, a dragonfly nymph is finally ready for adulthood and crawls out of the water to shed its final immature skin.. The green darner (Anax junius) is known for its long-distance migrations, and often resorts to wing-whirring before dawn to enable it to make an early start. 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.. Their Wings Tear Bacteria Apart If you put a dragonfly wing under a microscope, you'd see billions of tiny nanostructures. How do we reverse the trend? Sort. Dragonfly sperm, however, is stored in an opening of the ninth abdominal segment. They may be seen on the wing for several months, but this may represent a whole series of individuals, with new adults hatching out as earlier ones complete their lifespans. [33][34][35], Many adult dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural colouration, making them conspicuous in flight. [99], Among the classical names of Japan are Akitsukuni (), Akitsushima (), Toyo-akitsushima (). In Indonesia, adult dragonflies are caught on poles made sticky with birdlime, then fried in oil as a delicacy. Dragonfly Characteristics. However, unlike other insects, the dragonfly relies entirely on flight for its movement; it does not use legs to walk but only for holding onto foliage during rest, grasping a mate during copulation and for grasping prey. Species that fly low and slow may be most at risk. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as "naiads") and as adults. The willowy praying mantis, or mantid, can be beautiful as it folds its legs, tilts its head and looks at the world through huge eyes. [19], Dragonflies become scarce at higher latitudes. Habitats Many of these spiketail dragonflies can be found in wooded areas near the Rocky Mountains. Some dragonflies also point their wings forward and down in order to reduce exposure to sunlight and, perhaps, to reflect light and heat away from their bodies. The attacker thus looms larger as he closes on the rival, but does not otherwise appear to move. [97] They have also been used as a decorative motif on fabrics and home furnishings. Adult dragonflies are characterized by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. [25][26] The head has a system for locking it in place that consists of muscles and small hairs on the back of the head that grip structures on the front of the first thoracic segment. They do not bite and they do not sting. The black body with yellow spot at the bottom of the abdomen are clear field guides, even if the white face is not apparent. [41] Some species prefer flowing waters, while others prefer standing water. They can flap each wing up and down, and rotate their wings forward and back on an axis. [93]:2527 The Norwegian name for dragonflies is yenstikker ("eye-poker"), and in Portugal, they are sometimes called tira-olhos ("eyes-snatcher"). [39] One species, Gomphus militaris, even live as a parasite, feeding on the gills of gravid mussels. Dragonflies are represented in human culture on artefacts such as pottery, rock paintings, statues, and Art Nouveau jewellery. By Nanette Kelley. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. [100] This is attributed to a legend in which Japan's mythical founder, Emperor Jimmu, was bitten by a mosquito, which was then eaten by a dragonfly.[101][102]. Until their bodies fully harden they are weak flyers, making them ripe for the picking. Naiads can forcefully expel a jet of water to propel themselves with great rapidity. Healthline - Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting? Their eyes are compound -they consist of 24,000 ommatidia (or tiny eyes). Dragonflies that patrol (those that habitually fly back and forth) employ a rapid whirring movement of their wings to raise their body temperatures. [62], Dragonflies generate lift in at least four ways at different times, including classical lift like an aircraft wing; supercritical lift with the wing above the critical angle, generating high lift and using very short strokes to avoid stalling; and creating and shedding vortices. They hunt in flight, are highly manoeuvrable and even mate mid-air. [95], In both China and Japan, dragonflies have been used in traditional medicine.