Monday, July 1, 2019

In Jo's Yard - 19 Dragonfly Facts


It is 6 weeks since planting the front yard.  The blanket flowers are blooming like crazy – lots of dead-heading!  I also notice number of dragonflies around the yard!

Dragonfly facts: Dragonflies are insects because they have 6 legs, a thorax, a head and an abdomen.  There are over 5,000 species and they are found on every continent except Antarctica.  They are agile fliers – they can hover in one place, fly backwards, and they are some of the fastest flying insects in the world reaching speeds of over 30 mph.  When first hatched, the larva or nymphs live in the water for around a year.  Once they leave the water and begin to fly, they only live for around a month.  Dragonflies need to warm up in the sun during the morning before taking off and flying for most of the day.  They are predators eating mosquitos, cicadas, flies.  They often catch their prey in flight.  Fish, ducks, birds and water beetles eat dragonflies! 


                                                                       Blanket flower                                                 

Dragonfly on my Flatwood Plum tree 

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