Let's talk about dragonflies—those little flying acrobats that zip around lakes and gardens like tiny helicopters. We see them every summer, but how much do we really know about them?
Let's dive into 14 amazing things that make dragonflies some of the coolest insects on the planet. Guess you'll be surprised by a few!
1. Dragonflies and damselflies—easily confused
First up, not every dragonfly you see is actually a dragonfly. Some of them are damselflies! The easiest way to tell? Dragonflies keep their wings open flat when resting, but damselflies fold theirs back. And dragonflies usually have big, touching eyes, while damselflies' eyes are clearly separated.
2. Dragonflies are older than dinosaurs
Yep, they've been around for more than 300 million years—way before the dinosaurs. Their giant ancient relatives, called “griffinflies,” had wingspans bigger than your head. Imagine seeing that fly by!
3. You can find them almost everywhere
From South America to northern Canada, dragonflies live almost everywhere on Earth—except Antarctica. Some species like the globe skimmer travel across oceans and continents, making them true world travelers.
4. Their babies live underwater
Dragonfly babies, called nymphs, live underwater for years before turning into the flying versions we know. They snack on tiny fish, tadpoles, and bugs. It's kind of like a long, wet childhood before they grow up and take to the skies.
5. Their flying skills are next-level
Dragonflies are air ninjas. They can fly in any direction—even backward—and turn on a dime. Some species reach speeds of 36 to 54 km/h (that's 22 to 34 mph)! Talk about jet speed.
6. They move all four wings separately
Here's why they fly like pros: dragonflies can control all four wings independently. That means they can hover, glide, twist, dive, or zip forward like a rocket. They're basically nature's helicopters.
7. They're insanely good hunters
Dragonflies are among the best hunters in the animal world. Their success rate? A whopping 95%! They catch flies, mosquitoes, moths—anything mid-air—using their legs like a net.
8. They plan their attacks like fighter pilots
Dragonflies don't just chase—they calculate. When they see prey, they figure out where it's going, not just where it is, and intercept it. It's like having a built-in missile lock system.
9. They can "disappear" while flying
Some dragonflies can camouflage their movements. The Australian emperor dragonfly uses a trick called “motion camouflage,” flying in such a way that its target doesn't see it coming—even though it's flying straight toward them!
10. Their eyes are like mini galaxies
Dragonfly eyes are stunning—and powerful. Each eye has up to 24,000 little lenses, giving them nearly 360-degree vision. Their only blind spot? Right behind their heads.
11. They can spot one bug in a crowd
Thanks to those amazing eyes, dragonflies can pick out a single mosquito from a buzzing cloud of bugs—and grab it mid-flight. All while flying at full speed. Superhero level stuff.
12. Some migrate farther than birds
You thought monarch butterflies traveled far? One dragonfly species—the globe skimmer—can fly more than 11,000 miles (18,000 km) during migration. That's like flying from Argentina to Canada!
13. They spend most of their life in water
Here's a fun twist—most dragonflies live longer as underwater nymphs than they do as flying adults. They might stay underwater for years, but once they grow wings, they often only live a few weeks to a few months.
14. They're not dangerous—they're awesome
Despite their fierce looks, dragonflies don't sting or bite humans. They're totally harmless to us—and super helpful since they eat mosquitoes. So next time you see one, say thanks!
So, how many did you know?
Now that you've unlocked the secret life of dragonflies, which fact surprised you the most? Have you seen one up close lately? Drop your stories or questions—we'd love to hear from our curious Lykkers!
Dragonfly 🐉 (10 FACTS You NEVER KNEW)
Video by Animal Fact Files
