# Dragonflies (*anisoptera*) Dragonflies are amazing insects that can fly in any direction, just like a superhero! They have big, colorful wings and love to zoom around near water. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Dragonflies live near ponds, lakes, and streams where there is plenty of water. - **Also known as:** Darters, Emeralds, Hawkers ![Dragonflies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sympetrum_flaveolum_-_side_%28aka%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sympetrum_flaveolum_-_side_%28aka%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Dragonfly has a long, slender body, two pairs of strong, transparent or colored wings, and massive compound eyes that cover most of its head. They often display brilliant metallic blues, greens, or reds, making them striking aerial hunters distinct from their damselfly relatives by their robust build and resting wings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Gomphidae ## Interesting facts - Dragonflies don't sting or bite humans; they only use their powerful jaws for bugs! - Dragonfly babies, called nymphs, live underwater for years and breathe with gills! - Some dragonflies embark on epic migrations, flying thousands of kilometers like tiny birds! - They catch over 95% of prey, making them one of nature's best hunters! ## Special abilities - **Super Sight:** Dragonflies can see almost all around them because of their huge, multifaceted compound eyes, helping them spot prey and predators instantly. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Dragonflies can fly forwards, backward, hover, and turn in mid-air because their two sets of wings beat independently, making them agile hunters. - **Mid-air Snatcher:** Dragonflies can snatch insects right out of the air using their spiky legs, which form a 'basket' to catch and hold prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-150 mm - **Size:** 30-90 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-180 days - **Flight Speed:** 50 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Dragonflies are skilled hunters that feast on tiny insects both as adults and underwater as nymphs. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt underwater, while adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, midges, moths, small butterflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Adult dragonflies prey on these flying insects. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — Adult dragonflies can be caught and eaten by these aerial birds. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Dragonfly nymphs are often prey for these large aquatic frogs. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Aquatic dragonfly nymphs are a food source for many fish. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dragonflies? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Dragonflies's wingspan? 40-150 mm ### How big is Dragonflies? 30-90 mm ### How long does Dragonflies live? 30-180 days ### How fast can Dragonflies fly? 50 km/h ### What does Dragonflies eat? Dragonflies are skilled hunters that feast on tiny insects both as adults and underwater as nymphs. ### Where is Dragonflies usually found? Dragonflies live near ponds, lakes, and streams where there is plenty of water. ### How does Dragonflies hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Rio Grande Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rio-grande-botanic-garden) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Leschi Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leschi-park) — Washington, US · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Dragonflies: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dragonflies)