Dragonfly Facts
Some Dragonfly Facts That You May Not Have Known
Dragonfly facts abound in the scientific and insect enthusiasts’ worlds, as they are not like any other insects in the world. There are 5,000 species of dragonflies known to the world, and we here in North America are privy to around 900 of them. The rest of them are indigenes to tropical regions, and can be found way out in the wilderness where we seldom trek. Dragonfly facts about those who hatch from the Amazon River, for instance, are really quite alarming, rumoring nymphs who reach 2 feet in length, and who render adults with 7 ½ inch wing spans. This type of information makes me really quite grateful that the dragonfly is as docile and amiable as he is. Can you imagine if he were aggressive or venomous?
Contrary to some old stories about the “stinger” of the dragonfly being poisonous, this pointed, long region at the tail end of his thorax is really a grabber. He uses it only to gain a secure hold on the female during their carnival-like mating ritual, where they take the shape of a graceful wheel. Aside from this, dragonfly facts indicate strongly that no human has ever been bitten or injured in any way by a dragonfly adult. Now the nymph stage, on the contrary, is another story altogether. The underwater larval stage of the dragonfly is prone to being tenacious and vicious as a hunter, and is rarely intimidated by the size of his adversaries. If he bites off more than he can chew, he simply whips quickly away by forcing a water jet from his anus.
Dragonfly facts about his wings and speed may be even more interesting still. A bee’s wings beat upwards of 300 times per second, and his maximum speed flying forward is 6 miles per hour. The dragonfly, however, can only beat his two sets of wings about 35 times per second, but from this slower wing pace can zoom along at a whopping 28 miles per hour. Dragonfly facts about a species in Australia recorded one whipping by at 36 miles per hour. How’s that for getter on down the road? Also, recent studies have found that the wing shapes, sizes, colors, and lengths are just as useful a tool in dragonfly recognition as are the mouth parts, which used to be the determining factor between one species to the next.
Dragonfly facts involving their forms of communication and sight are quite cool, as well. A dragonfly has 30,000 lenses in each of his eyes, and can see in every direction, include beneath, above, and behind him. His vision, however, is not very good, despite this advantage. A human can see better than a dragonfly can, though we can only do so in three directions.