Prey

Touted as the fastest insect aloft over Hotel Lake, our dragonflies have unparalleled flight superiority during daylight and pursue all types of insects including bees,  mosquitoes, flies, moths and butterflies

Jaw & Mandible

They have a trap-like lower mandible, hence the “odon” in their name, referencing teeth.

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They hunt using their feet to catch prey and then, while continuing to hunt, feed the prey into their mouth which features a highly dexterous trap-like lower jaw (mandible).  This hunting process is so efficient they can catch and eat half their weight in flying insects in an hour. 

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Humans and Dragonflies - Brief Encouters

IIn July or August, take a break and find a spot to sit in your garden or on the shores of Hotel Lake. In just a few minutes a dragonfly, one of a species that pre-existed dinosaurs by 100 million years, will likely land on your knee or toe or perhaps the knuckle of your forefinger. Its large size, bright colours and energetic flying behaviour can make it seem threatening and the thrill of this magical encounter  can easily be eclipsed by modern phobias and nicknames such as “devil’s darning needle” and “horse-stinger”. But does it sting, does it bite, and does it transmit disease?  Unanswered, these questions may spawn fear or an instinctive impulse to swat the creature aside. What a shame that would be!  Let's not swat but; instead, let's seek answers, overcome fear with knowledge and find ways to understand and appreciate this wildlife neighbour.

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First of all dragonflies don't have stingers, so they can't sting you!

 

If provoked, dragonflies will try to escape but might, if trapped and in self defence, be forced to bite and even then, only the largest of dragonflies are able to break human skin. Keep in mind that dragonflies have no interest in biting you for a blood-meal as mosquitos do. 

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Unlike insects such as mosquitos and ticks, dragonflies are not known to transmit disease to humans.

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Endangered or Invasive Species

Are these stunning creatures at risk here in BC?  We found a 2002 reference stating that some 23 species are considered rare or potentially at risk. The reasons include the loss of habitat, (wetlands, streams, lakes) and development projects that destroy such habitat.

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Climate change also introduces stress on the dragonfly when natural wetlands and freshwater lakes and streams are diminished by prolonged periods of warmer and drier weather.

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While in their underwater nymph/larvae stage, they are a food source for fish. Some estimates suggest that 99 percent of dragonfly nymphs do not survive to become adult flying dragonflies. If this is correct, the dragonflies and damselflies that we see represent just one percent of the total born into their aquatic environment. 

 

How can Humans Help and Respect

Dragonflies, should be viewed as highly beneficial.  They take flight in the spring and summer and immediately start hunting insects and in particular mosquitoes. They are not aggressive and represent no threat to humans and they are simply delightful to watch. They only live as aerial predators for a few weeks and months.  It will not be until the following spring and summer that we will we see the next generation.

 

We can all help by simply reading about and knowing more about these wildlife neighbours.  If we make the effort to observe these natural creatures and understand their life cycle we will all be better able to understand and make personal decisions that help to preserve their habitat and accommodate their needs. And when we see development plans materialize, we will be better able to speak for this species.  Who will do this if we don’t.