Biology:Dragonflies are of the order Odonata (shared with their skinny relative, the damselfly) and the suborder Anisoptera. They are separated into 11 family classifications and make up about 5,500-6,500 different species in total. Most dragonflies live as adults for less than one month, although some species can live as long as 6+ months. Based on the species, a dragonfly's top flight speed ranges anywhere from 20-40 mph. (5.)
Dragonflies are hemimetabolous (egg-nymph-adult) and they lay their eggs in or near fresh water. (6.) After their larval stage, which lasts approximately 2 years, they crawl out of the water and their exoskeleton cracks open, releasing the abdomen and wings. The wings then dry and harden over the next several days. (9.) They prey on mosquitoes, tadpoles and other small insects such as bees, ants, flies and wasps. They are commonly found around marshes, lakes, ponds and streams because their larvae (aka nymphs) are aquatic. Dragonflies are subject to predation by birds, lizards, frogs, fish, spiders and even other large dragonflies. (7.) |
Anatomy:
The body of a dragonfly consists of three main parts. The head, thorax and abdomen, accompanied by 6 legs (3 on each side) and 2 pairs of wings.
The main part of the head is the frons (forehead) which support a pair of antennae, two large compound eyes and three simple eyes. Mouthparts consist of the labrum, madible and labium. The head is connected to the thorax by a pair of plates (sclerites) which provide mobility and a neck-like function.
The thorax is between the head and the abdomen and contains the locomotive organs (wings and appendages). The frontal surface and sides of the thorax may be decorated with stripes. There are three segments to the thorax, each holding a pair of legs. The legs are also made up of three sections; the femur, tibia and tarsus, ending with claws. The wings are supported by a membrane of veins. The vein patterns are often used to differentiate between families of dragonfly. (8.) Modern dragonflies have wingspans of only two to five inches, but fossil dragonflies have been found with wingspans of up to two feet. Some scientists theorize that high oxygen levels during the Paleozoic era allowed dragonflies to grow to such a large size. (9.)
The abdomen consists of ten segments. The abdomen is long and slender and can be highly flexible. Depending on the family class of dragonfly, females will either have ovipositors (such as Petaluridae, Aeshnidae, and Neopetaliidae) at the end of their abdomen or non-functional ovipositors (such as Gomphidae, Macromiinae, Corduliinae, and Libellulinae) who simply scatter their eggs into open water or mud. (8.)
The main part of the head is the frons (forehead) which support a pair of antennae, two large compound eyes and three simple eyes. Mouthparts consist of the labrum, madible and labium. The head is connected to the thorax by a pair of plates (sclerites) which provide mobility and a neck-like function.
The thorax is between the head and the abdomen and contains the locomotive organs (wings and appendages). The frontal surface and sides of the thorax may be decorated with stripes. There are three segments to the thorax, each holding a pair of legs. The legs are also made up of three sections; the femur, tibia and tarsus, ending with claws. The wings are supported by a membrane of veins. The vein patterns are often used to differentiate between families of dragonfly. (8.) Modern dragonflies have wingspans of only two to five inches, but fossil dragonflies have been found with wingspans of up to two feet. Some scientists theorize that high oxygen levels during the Paleozoic era allowed dragonflies to grow to such a large size. (9.)
The abdomen consists of ten segments. The abdomen is long and slender and can be highly flexible. Depending on the family class of dragonfly, females will either have ovipositors (such as Petaluridae, Aeshnidae, and Neopetaliidae) at the end of their abdomen or non-functional ovipositors (such as Gomphidae, Macromiinae, Corduliinae, and Libellulinae) who simply scatter their eggs into open water or mud. (8.)