Part of our natural world for 300 million years, dragonflies patrolled the primordial swamps and coal forests of the Pennsylvanian Period. Today, much smaller than their prehistoric ancestors, dragonflies have diversified into more than 5000 species, almost 10% of which inhabit North America. Of course, most are found in tropical and subtropical regions but they have adapted to a wide range of habitats, including subalpine and subarctic zones.
Equipped with keen vision and superb flying skills, dragonflies feed on mosquitos and other flying insects. Their ability to hover and maneuver in all directions results from the independent motion of their two wing pairs. Dragonflies are larger and much bolder than their brightly colored, dainty cousins, the damselfies; in addition, dragonflies rest with their wings in a flat, horizontal position while damselfies fold their wings vertically.
After mating, the female dragonfly deposits her eggs on aquatic vegetation or directly in the water, often accompanied by her protective mate (he's actually protecting his own genes). Once hatched, the nymphs mature underwater for weeks to years, depending upon the life zone. During this time, they feed on other insects, mosquito larvae and each other and must avoid their own predators; the latter include fish, frogs, wading birds and diving ducks. Upon leaving the water, the nymphs dry out on vegetation and molt to the adult form. Adults spend their three month existence feeding and mating; if not killed by birds, frogs, toads or windshields, they will die off with the first hard freeze and their offspring will overwinter as eggs or nymphs.
