A Few Things That You Never Knew About Dragonflies

A Few Things That You Never Knew About Dragonflies

From the human-perspective, dragonflies are pretty cool insects. But for gnats, mosquitoes, or any other small flying insect, dragonflies are to be feared. Not only are dragonflies interesting to look at, but they are wily predators as well. In fact, dragonflies possess a number of amazing tricks that would surprise you. For example, dragonflies can snag other flying insects out of the air, no matter how fleeting the insect-prey may be. According to the experts, dragonflies have a ninety five percent success rate when it comes to hunting. In other words, it is very rare for an insect-prey to successfully escape from a dragonfly.

Recent research has suggested that dragonflies can “stealthily” hunt other insects. But the way that dragonflies destroy, and dismember their victims will have you surprised. Dragonflies have serrated mandibles that can make a quick meal out of any insect that crosses the dragonflies’ path. First, a dragonfly will catch an insect with its feet, and then it will tear off the insects’ wings so that it cannot escape the dragonflies’ clutches. Only moments after catching its insect prey, dragonflies will have finished their meal.

Luckily for humans, dragonflies cannot bite us. A dragonflies’ jaws are not strong enough to break human skin. In fact, most types of dragonflies cannot even attempt to bite in defense. However, there are a few rare dragonfly-types in existence that can bite down on human skin, but only for defensive purposes.

Dragonflies are also unique fliers in that they have two sets of wings. These two different sets of wings allow dragonflies to abruptly change direction. The two sets of wings operate independently of one another, and they enable dragonflies to fly backwards, sideways or in any direction they need. Dragonflies are also very fast fliers. Their speeds can reach eighteen miles per hour. So the next time you see a dragonfly, tip your hat to it for eating mosquitoes.

Have you ever been near a flying dragonfly? If you have, did it make a strange humming-sound, or any sound at all?