Dragonflies & Damselflies
Dragonflies and Damselflies are an ancient and successful group that was around long before the dinosaurs evolved.One species that lived around 250 million years ago was the largest insect known to exist and had a wingspan of over 70 cm.
Their success as a group is largely because of their fantastic flying abilities and their well-developed eyes. They are excellent hunters of other flying insects and can hover, move in zigzags, and even fly backwards. And they are fast - some of the larger dragonflies can reach flying speeds of 70 km per hour - possibly the fastest flying insects on Earth. Many people find their size and speed intimidating but, despite their powerful jaws, they are harmless. In fact, they do us a favour by eating many insects that bite us.
There are 320 species known from Australia.The larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic and are known as mud-eyes.
Their success as a group is largely because of their fantastic flying abilities and their well-developed eyes. They are excellent hunters of other flying insects and can hover, move in zigzags, and even fly backwards. And they are fast - some of the larger dragonflies can reach flying speeds of 70 km per hour - possibly the fastest flying insects on Earth. Many people find their size and speed intimidating but, despite their powerful jaws, they are harmless. In fact, they do us a favour by eating many insects that bite us.
There are 320 species known from Australia.The larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic and are known as mud-eyes.
Common Flatwing, Austroargiolestes icteromelas. A Damselfly in the Family Megapodagrionidae
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Tau Emerald Dragonfly, Hemicordulia tau, Family Corduliidae
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Tau Emerald Dragonfly, Hemicordulia tau, Family Corduliidae, emerging from pupal skin. Notice the trachea tubes torn from the insect on emergence.
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Black-faced Percher, Diplacodes melanopsis, Family Libellulidae
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Wandering Percher, Diplacodes bipunctata, Family Libellulidae
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Red & Blue Damselfly, Xanthagrion erythroneurum, Family Coenagrionidae
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Blue Ringtail - a damselfly, Austrolestes annulosus, Family Lestidae
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Blue Skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum, Family Lestidae
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Photographs Marg Ferguson, Kim Baggaley, Kaye Proudley and John McClumpha
