Dragonflies
Okay, not really dragonflies. These are actually Damselflies, but they are very closely related. Most people don't know the difference. But here are some fun facts about them!
1. Dragonflies are worldwide in distribution with more than 5,000 described species. There are about 450 species of dragonflies in North America.
2. Dragonflies are among the oldest living creatures on this planet. Fossilized specimens show them to be more 300 million years old
3. A fossilized dragonfly from 250 million years ago has a wingspan of 28 inches.
4. Male Dragonflies are capable of hovering followed by rapid acceleration.
5. Dragonflies capture their prey by clasping them in legs studded with spikes. Prey cannot escape by diving away because dragonflies always attack from below.
6. Damselflies are often confused with dragonflies, but these are distinct; most damselflies hold their wings at rest together above the body or held slightly open above, whereas most dragonflies at rest hold their wings horizontally or occasionally slightly down and forward. Also, the back wing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body, while the back wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the front wing.The eyes on a damselfly are apart; in most dragonflies the eyes touch.
7. In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. Some English vernacular names, such as "devil's darning needle" and "ear cutter", link them with evil or injury.
8. In the United States dragonflies and dameselflies are sought out as a hobby similar to birding and butterflying, known as oding. Oding, from the dragonfly's Latin species name, odonata. Oding is especially popular in Texas, where 225 out of a total of 457 known species of odonates in the world have been observed. With care, dragonflies can be handled and released by Oders, unlike butterflies.
Just so you know, these particular insects are Azure Damselflies. The males are a beautiful sapphire blue, and the females are grayish-white.
1. Dragonflies are worldwide in distribution with more than 5,000 described species. There are about 450 species of dragonflies in North America.
2. Dragonflies are among the oldest living creatures on this planet. Fossilized specimens show them to be more 300 million years old
3. A fossilized dragonfly from 250 million years ago has a wingspan of 28 inches.
4. Male Dragonflies are capable of hovering followed by rapid acceleration.
5. Dragonflies capture their prey by clasping them in legs studded with spikes. Prey cannot escape by diving away because dragonflies always attack from below.
6. Damselflies are often confused with dragonflies, but these are distinct; most damselflies hold their wings at rest together above the body or held slightly open above, whereas most dragonflies at rest hold their wings horizontally or occasionally slightly down and forward. Also, the back wing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body, while the back wing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the front wing.The eyes on a damselfly are apart; in most dragonflies the eyes touch.
7. In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. Some English vernacular names, such as "devil's darning needle" and "ear cutter", link them with evil or injury.
8. In the United States dragonflies and dameselflies are sought out as a hobby similar to birding and butterflying, known as oding. Oding, from the dragonfly's Latin species name, odonata. Oding is especially popular in Texas, where 225 out of a total of 457 known species of odonates in the world have been observed. With care, dragonflies can be handled and released by Oders, unlike butterflies.
Just so you know, these particular insects are Azure Damselflies. The males are a beautiful sapphire blue, and the females are grayish-white.
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