# Dragonfly (*Odonata*) Dragonflies are colorful insects with big eyes and transparent wings. They love to fly around near water and catch smaller insects for their meals. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Darning Needle, Horse Stinger, Snake Doctor ![Dragonfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426590/objects/6054.jpg) ## Appearance The Dragonfly has a long, slender body, often brightly colored in iridescent blues, greens, or reds. It features two pairs of large, transparent wings and massive compound eyes that cover most of its head, giving it a distinctive, ancient look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae ## Interesting facts - Dragonflies don't sting or bite people; they are harmless, despite their fierce look! - Dragonflies eat hundreds of mosquitoes every day, helping control insect populations. - Dragonfly nymphs live underwater for years, eating tiny creatures before becoming adults! - Each of a dragonfly's huge eyes has 30,000 tiny lenses for amazing sight! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Ace:** Dragonfly can fly in any direction, even backward, because its four wings move independently. - **Mega Vision:** Dragonfly has enormous compound eyes covering most of its head, which helps them see predators and prey in almost all directions. - **Lightning Hunter:** Dragonfly can catch prey mid-flight with its spiky legs, using them like a basket to trap insects. - **Rocket Power:** Dragonfly has powerful wings that allow it to reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, making it a super-fast insect. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-150 mm - **Size:** 20-120 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 60 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Dragonflies are fierce predators that hunt other insects, especially flying ones. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and tadpoles underwater; adults prey on flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Flies, Midges, Small butterflies, Moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adult dragonflies actively hunt and consume mosquito species. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Dragonflies frequently capture and eat house flies mid-flight. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Bullfrogs prey on dragonfly nymphs and emerging adults from water. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Large fish, like pike, can prey on dragonfly nymphs in water. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — Barn swallows catch adult dragonflies as part of their insect diet. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching dragonflies from a safe distance and never try to catch or touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dragonfly? 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 Dragonfly's wingspan? 30-150 mm ### How big is Dragonfly? 20-120 mm ### How long does Dragonfly live? 30-120 days ### How fast can Dragonfly fly? 60 km/h ### What does Dragonfly eat? Dragonflies are fierce predators that hunt other insects, especially flying ones. ### Where is Dragonfly usually found? Wetlands ### How does Dragonfly hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Dragonfly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dragonfly)