# Druon The Druon is a small, colorful insect that loves to flit around flowers. It helps plants grow by spreading pollen as it moves from bloom to bloom. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Druon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Druon_pattoni_gall_closeup.jpg&width=800) Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Druon_pattoni_gall_closeup.jpg) ## Appearance The Druon is a medium-sized insect, typically sporting a metallic green or blue segmented body. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of large, iridescent wings that shimmer with all the colours of the rainbow. Short, feathery antennae protrude from its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Cynipidae - **Genus:** Andricus ## Interesting facts - A Druon's powerful wings beat so fast, they create a tiny, almost invisible blur! - Baby Druons, called 'grubs,' live underground for weeks before transforming! - Their antennae can detect the scent of a blooming flower from over a mile away! - They communicate with each other using tiny, silent wing vibrations we can't hear! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Navigator:** Druon can locate specific flowers from afar using special ultraviolet vision that helps them see nectar guides. - **Pollen Magnet:** Druon has tiny electrostatically charged hairs on its legs that efficiently collect and transfer pollen between plants. - **Wind Rider:** Druon can adjust its wing angle precisely to glide on air currents, conserving energy during long flights. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Druons sip sweet nectar from flowers and feed on pollen to get all their energy. - **Age differences:** Larvae (grubs) typically feed on decaying wood or plant roots underground. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, tree sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Helps sunflowers produce seeds by transferring pollen. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Small birds like sparrows hunt Druons for food. - **Depends on:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Relies on milkweed and other flowering plants for nectar. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Watch Druons from a distance; they are gentle and won't hurt you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Druon? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Druon's wingspan? 30-50 mm ### How big is Druon? 15-25 mm ### How long does Druon live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Druon fly? 12 km/h ### What does Druon eat? Druons sip sweet nectar from flowers and feed on pollen to get all their energy. ### Where is Druon usually found? Gardens ### How does Druon hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Druon: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/druon)