Dragon-fly (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what a dragonfly is, what its life cycle is like, how long it lives and other characteristics. Also, the dragonfly as a symbol.

What is a dragonfly?

A certain type of insect is known as dragonfly, damselfly, lice killer, folelé or sheriff. flying insects belonging to the infraorder of the anisopterans, which live around lakes, ponds, rivers and swampy regions, and are easily recognized by their pair of double, transparent wings and their long, tubular body similar to a helicopter, as well as its fast flight and striking colors.

Dragonflies are insects that have an amphibious life cycle, that is, they have nymphs of aquatic life, and are in turn food for numerous species of aquatic, amphibian and terrestrial animals. Besides, are skilled predators capable of using optical illusion as camouflage to resemble a stationary object and thus stalk their prey, which mainly consist of mosquitoes, flies, bees, butterflies and moths.

Characteristics of dragonflies

dragonfly characteristics — Dragonflies have around 30,000 ocular facets in each eye.

Dragonflies are characterized by the following:

are arthropods that is, they have articulated limbs and a chitin exoskeleton, and in turn insects so they have two pairs of transparent wings and three pairs of legs. However, unlike other insects, they are unable to fold their wings over their torso, so they always have them fully extended.
Their long and thin bodies allow them to fly very quickly (up to 85 kmph in some species), and the anatomy of their legs allows them to catch their prey, but not walk with it on any surface.
Their vision capacity is impressive, given that they have around 30,000 ocular facets in each eye, which allows them a 360° view around and spot their prey from a distance of 12 meters.
can fly in six directions: up, down, forward, backward, left or right.
are very territorial animals especially the males.
Like the rest of the insects, they reproduce sexually and the female lays eggs, from which larvae emerge, which then, in turn, undergo a complete metamorphosis.

How long does a dragonfly live?

dragonfly how long does it live — Depending on the species, the dragonfly can live a few months or several years.

The lifespan of different species of dragonfly can vary greatly. In its entirety, that is, from the egg to adult death, it can be around six years (in the largest species) or just a few months (in the small ones). However, most of the dragonfly's life is spent in its nymphatic form.

Dragonfly life cycle

The life cycle of the dragonfly begins when their parents mate something that happens in the air or on some surface, after a courtship in which the male modifies his way of flying to attract the female. This last She then lays her eggs in or very close to water in aquatic or emerging plants, or in the mud or moss on the banks of a body of water.

The eggs then hatch and They release the nymphs, which are their underwater way of life and they feed mainly on the larvae of other insects, such as mosquitoes, or even tadpoles and tiny fish. Dragonflies spend most of their lives in this form, breathing through gills and swimming quickly.

Once ready for metamorphosis, the nymph emerges from the water clinging to branches and other exposed surfaces and begins breathing air, awaiting the complex process of transformations that will turn it into an adult. Once the internal metamorphosis is completed, the larva's skin opens and the adult dragonfly emerges ready for an aerial life.

The dragonfly as a symbol

Dragonflies have captured the attention of humans since ancient times. Ancient civilizations observed the passage of their lives and the complex metamorphosis that this implies, and considered them an emblem of change, and therefore of time and life.