Since dinosaurs roamed our planet, these fierce warriors zoomed through the air. As one of the most agile, quick, and vicious predators of the air, they have dominated the world of flying insects. Equipped with large eyes that cover their whole face, two pairs of strong, large wings, and strong jaws, dragonflies are sure to instill fear in any small, weak insects flying around.
Dragonflies, like many other insects, go through a complete metamorphosis. Their larvae - also called nymphs - are aquatic, which is why there are a lot of dragonflies near bodies of fresh water. Even in their nymph forms, dragonflies are carnivorous, voraciously consuming tadpoles, mosquito larvae, and sometimes even small fish.
Dragonfly nymphs use extendable jaws to hunt and breathe through gills located at their rectums. Dragonflies stay in their nymph forms from a few months to a few years in some species, and when they are ready, they climb out of the water, usually through a reed or some other plant. Contact with air prompts the nymphs to shed their skin and fly away as mature dragonflies.
Libelluidae - Sympetrum - Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn meadowhawk):
