dragonfly

/drag"euhn fluy'/, n., pl. dragonflies.

1. any of numerous stout-bodied, nonstinging insects of the order Odonata (suborder Anisoptera), the species of which prey on mosquitoes and other insects and are distinguished from the damselflies by having the wings outstretched rather than folded when at rest.

2. (cap.) Mil. a two-seat, twin-turbojet U.S. attack aircraft in service since 1967, armed with a Minigun and capable of carrying nearly 5700 lb. (2585 kg) of ordnance.

[1620-30; DRAGON + FLY²]

Regional Variation. 1. the DRAGONFLY is also called a DARNING NEEDLE and a DEVIL'S DARNING NEEDLE in the Northern and Western U.S. In the Northern U.S. it is also called a SEWING NEEDLE. In the Midland U.S. it is called a SNAKE FEEDER, in the South Midland and Southern U.S. a SNAKE DOCTOR, and in the Southern U.S., esp. in the Southern Coastal areas, it is called a MOSQUITO HAWK or a SKEETER HAWK. SPINDLE is also in use, chiefly in New Jersey and in the Delaware Valley. EAR SEWER is in older use in some scattered regional areas.

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Any member of the insect suborder Anisoptera (order Odonata), characterized by four large, membranous, many-veined wings, that, when at rest, are held horizontally rather than vertically (see damselfly).

Dragonflies are agile and have bulging eyes that often occupy most of the head and a wingspan of about 6 in. (16 cm). The dragonfly is one of the fastest-flying and most predaceous insects; in 30 minutes it can eat its own weight in food. Dragonflies differ from most other insects by having the male copulatory organs at the front part of the abdomen rather than at the back end. Male and female often fly in tandem during sperm transfer.

Dragonfly (Libellula forensis).

E.S. Ross

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▪ insect

Introduction

also called  darner,  devil's arrow,  or  devil's darning needle, 

 any of a group of aerial, predatory insects most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world. Damselflies (damselfly) (suborder Zygoptera) are sometimes also called dragonflies in that both are odonates (order Odonata). The 2,500 dragonfly species (Anisoptera) are characterized by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings that, while generally transparent, may have coloured markings. Unlike damselflies, the front and rear wing pairs are shaped differently. In addition, dragonflies rest with their wings spread horizontally, rather than held vertically against each other (with the exception of one very small family, Epiophlebiidae). Dragonflies have a more powerful build and are generally much stronger fliers than damselflies. Dragonflies have huge, bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees.

 The winged adults are diversely coloured in a variety of shades ranging from metallic to pastel. Compared with other insects, they are large, with some having wingspans of up to 16 cm (about 6 inches). Even the smallest species are about 20 mm (0.8 inch) across. As well as being extremely agile fliers, they are also among the fastest insects. Dragonfly wing muscles must be warm to function optimally, and so, if cool, the insect often engages in wing-whirring and basking in the sun to generate heat before taking flight. The dragonfly's speed and agility contribute to its being one of the most effective aerial predators. Small flying insects are the usual fare, but some dragonflies regularly consume prey that is 60 percent of their own weight.

  Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under water as the adults are in the air. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in colour, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. They have bulging eyes somewhat similar to the adults, but possess a formidable anatomical structure not present in the adult. Called the “mask,” it is a fusion of the larva's third pair of mouthparts. Disproportionately large, the mask folds beneath both the head and thorax when it is not in use. At the end of the mask is a set of fanglike pincers used to seize prey such as worms, crustaceans, tadpoles, and small fish. Different species of dragonfly larvae can be described as sprawlers, burrowers, hiders, or claspers. Their shape, metabolism, and respiration differ concordantly with the microhabitat they occupy.

      Larvae crawl from eggs laid in or near water. Some species lay their eggs inside plant tissue, others attach their eggs to substrates at or above the water's surface, and some may drop or wash their eggs from their abdomen onto water. Larvae absorb oxygen from the water using gills inside the rectum. The abdomen draws water in and pumps it out again through the anus. Water can be forcibly expelled in this way, resulting in jet propulsion as a means of escape. Solid waste is also expelled in this manner. As the larva grows, it molts, its future wings first becoming apparent about halfway through the larva's development. These wing sheaths then enlarge rapidly with each successive molt. Eventually, the larva crawls out of the water (often at night) and molts one last time, emerging as an adult and leaving behind a cast skin (exuvia).

      Dragonflies, like damselflies, exhibit a mating posture unique to the Odonata. The male and female contort themselves into the “wheel” position before sperm is transferred. Before and after mating, dragonflies often fly in tandem, with the male towing the female in flight using claspers at the tip of his abdomen to grip the back of her head. Pairs of some species may remain in tandem while the female lays her eggs.

 Many dragonfly families have descriptive common names associated with their scientific names. Examples include the hawkers (Aeshnidae), petaltails (Petaluridae), and clubtails (Gomphidae). Numerous other names related to neither taxonomy nor fact have traditionally been applied to dragonflies, such as horse stinger. Dragonflies have also been known as “snake doctors” in the American South, owing to the superstition that they nurse ill snakes back to health. The term devil's darning needle is derived from a superstition that dragonflies may sew up the eyes, ears, or mouth of a sleeping child, especially one who has misbehaved. In reality, dragonflies present no danger to humans.

Additional Reading

Books

Philip S. Corbet, Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata (1999), a definitive and well-illustrated source of information covering both dragonflies and damselflies.Ross E. Hutchins, The World of Dragonflies and Damselflies (1969), in addition to basic biological information, also includes discussion of fossil ancestors and suggestions for collecting, identifying, and studying odonates.James G. Needham and Minter J. Westfall, Jr., A Manual of the Dragonflies of North America (Anisoptera) (1954, reissued 1975).Rod Preston-Mafham and Ken Preston-Mafham, The Encyclopedia of Land Invertebrate Behaviour (1993), pp. 35–42, includes a detailed discussion of odonate reproductive behaviour, in addition to other topics briefly touched upon.

Video documentaries

The Dragon & the Damsel (1983), written and produced by Pelham Aldrich-Blake. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough as part of the BBC natural history series “Wildlife on One.” Dragonfly (1988), produced by NHK Japan and TVOntario as part of the “Nature Watch” series.

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