DRAGONFLY
DID YOU
KNOW…
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/7217/dragonfly.jpg
The word dragonfly means piercing jaw.
Dragonflies are one of the oldest insects on earth today! They actually lived with the dinosaurs!!! That was 300 million years ago!!
Dragonflies begin their life as eggs in water, and then when they hatch, become nymphs. They can molt up to thirty times before they become an adult dragonfly. This process can take anywhere from 3 months to 10 years.
http://www.kidfish.bc.ca/images/dragonfly_life_cycle.jpg
Can those dragonflies fly!! They have the ability not only to fly straight, but they can also fly backwards, sideways, hover, and change direction on a dime. How do they do that? Well, they have two sets of wings that contain many veins and are long and rigid. They beat alternately and up to 1,600 or more times a minute.
Dragonflies have compound eyes that can see 360 degrees. Wow! We don’t have eyes like that. Prey can be seen from as far as 44 yards away. Speaking of prey! They are voracious hunters and are known as the “hawk of the sky.” Dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes, bees, butterflies, and other insects.
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The dragonfly loves to live around water. You can find them neat any pond, creek, river, wetland, or lake. Dragonflies only hang out where the water quality is good. If you do see one, you know that the quality of water is good.
Want to learn more?
Check out the Dragonfly website at http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/wondrous-world/dragonfly-facts
Kathleen Tait
Biology 501
<>Biology Paper
Environmental Science Paper
