Dragonflies

Dragonflies are flying insects belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta, the infraorder Anisoptera . There are about 5680 known species of dragonflies in 11 families. They are characterized by large compound eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, 2 short antennae, chewing mouthparts, an elongated body and six legs. They are usually found around marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands because of their aquatic nymphs. Dragonflies are very beautiful and ecologically important insects. They're important as both predators and prey. They eat mosquitoes and other small insects like flies and bees.
Their nymphs know as Naiads live in water and are predators of small invertebrates like mosquito larvae as well as smaller vertebrates like tadpoles and fish. Their naiads are important biological control agent of mosquito larvae. They serve as food for fish. Dragonflies are harmless to human beings, they neither sting nor bite.

Dragonflies Photos

Dragonfly Life Cycle

Dragonfly life cycle consists of three stages eggs, nymph, and adult dragonfly. Female dragonfly lays eggs on floating  plants or directly in water.  The eggs then hatch into nymphs, which live under water.  Most of a dragonfly's life is spent as nymph. The nymph stage of dragonflies may last from two months to five years. When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it emerges from the water and crawl onto a plant. Exposure to air causes the larva to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly with small wrinkled wings emerges. The dragonfly pumps body fluids and air into the wrinkled wings to inflate and harden them. It pumps the excess fluids out, to balance the system and become ready to flight.

Dragonfly Life Cycle

Dragonflies Mating

Dragonfly at Sunset

Picture of Dragonfly at Sunset

Dragonfly Pictures

A dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but the they can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most dragonflies are held away from,and perpendicular to, the body when at rest.

Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, midges, and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. They are therefore valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Dragonflies do not bite or sting humans.
Source: Wikipedia

Dragonfly