Harbingers of summer and eliminator of pests, the beautiful dragonfly has arrived.
A voracious predator of insects such as mosquitoes and flies, the dragonfly also eats ants, bees and butterflies. Found around lakes, ponds and wetlands where they breed, hatch and hunt, these beautiful insects keep populations of pesky mosquitoes at bay. The humming sound of the dragonfly’s wings is feared by mosquitoes which sense danger and flee. But still, many fall prey to this talented killer of the sky.
Some enterprising people have even created ‘ultrasonic mosquito repeller’ devices. Carried on the person, they emit a high-pitched droning whistle that is supposed to emulate the sound of dragonfly wings and thus, repel mosquitoes. I doubt if they really work. Mine didn’t do much. Nothing beats the real thing, the dragonfly!
Dragonflies neither bite nor sting. But the juvenile dragonfly babies called “nymphs”, on the other hand, they can deliver a fairly painful bite. They are quite ugly, yes?
The larval stage of some dragonflies can be as short as several months, others, as long as five years! They spend nearly all their lives under water in this nymph form. The nymphs of some species can leave the water for brief periods to hunt for insects upon the land or climb up upon plants that extend out of the water, to search for prey. Some nymphs can even catch and eat tadpoles!
Most species of dragonflies when they leave the water to molt into the adult form, will only live for several months. Seemingly, their life is too short.
Mystical, magical dragonfly’s wing!
He does not bite nor does he sting.
Ugly from birth but time behold
Their grace and beauty, tenfold!
Dreaded hunter of the mosquito, a dragonfly reposes! For your death is but part of the cycle of things. You provide life.
What would a farm pond or stream be without these wonderful insects? So harmless and free, the dragonfly epitomizes the sultry days of summer.
In Japan, when the dragonfly appears it is a sign that summer is nearly over and it is time to return to school.
Such beauty in flight is rarely seen. Perfectly designed in form and function. Long reign the dragonfly!