Living on every continent but Antarctica, these insects are instantly recognizable by their large bodies; four long, horizontal wings; and the way they hover and zip around. Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour and fly just as gracefully backward by lifting off vertically, helicopter style.
Their compound eyes are so large they nearly touch, and each one has about 28, single eyes, or ommatidia. Around 7, species of true dragonflies are alive today, and, together with the closely related damselflies , they form the group Odonta, which goes back million years. Dragonflies begin their lives in the water.
Around midsummer, females hover over bodies of fresh water and dip in their abdomens, laying eggs that hatch in about seven to eight days. Called naiads or nymphs, these larvae stay in the water for up to three years, hunting aquatic insects, mosquito larvae, or small fish with a lower jaw that reaches out and opens up sideways, snatching prey into their mouths.
They may even cannibalize other dragonfly nymphs. Nymphs propel themselves quickly by sucking water into their abdomen and then spitting it out. They undergo between six and 15 molts before emerging as fully formed adult dragonflies, a process that takes about 12 hours. Adults live only about a month, hunting flies, mosquitos, and midges. Their arms slant upward, forming a type of basket and enabling them to scoop up prey in flight. Adults also look for opportunities to mate.
When he finds a receptive female, he grasps her behind her head with claspers at the tip of his abdomen, and the two fly off together. Sometimes they will mate in the air. Mating takes just a few seconds, after which the female can immediately lay her eggs. Dragonflies are important to their environments both as predators particularly of mosquitos and as prey to birds and fish. Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water , scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem.
In , the first comprehensive assessment of insect species showed that 10 percent of dragonfly species were under threat of extinction.
The animals are imperiled by destruction of freshwater habitats—particularly ponds, bogs, and fens—by pollution, and non-native vegetation. Dragonflies are not harmful to humans. In fact, dragonflies are a great asset during the spring and summer months when mosquitoes are most active. A single dragonfly can consume hundreds of mosquitoes a day. These fast flying insects can make excellent guests at your next lakeside party or picnic.
Just sit back and enjoy its grace and speed. Bed bugs are travelers. Before moving into your mattress or settling down in your nightstand, they may have lived in a hotel, office, school or other place where people gather. Because bed bugs can attach themselves to clothes, furniture, luggage and even your pets, they can also hitch a ride in your car, rental vehicle, taxi or rideshare.
This gives them easy access to anything you transport with you and a free ride to everywhere you go, including your home. But there's a reason why this saying is so old and so well known: bed bugs have been around for a very long time.
These pesky insects have recently seen a resurgence in population and now, it's more likely than ever that you or someone you know will eventually deal with some kind of bed bug infestation.
Suddenly, that phrase takes on a whole new significance! No one wants to share their bed with bugs, and this feeling especially applies to the aptly named bed bugs.
Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on our blood while we sleep. If you've spotted large, black ants in or near your house along with small piles of what looks like sawdust, there's a chance you may have wood ants. As their name might suggest, wood ants — also called carpenter ants — can cause structural damage to wooden parts of your home.
Dragonflies are not usually harmful to humans. Sometimes large dragonflies will try to bite, but they fail to break the skin. They can be a wonderful asset during the spring and summer months when mosquitoes are most active because a single dragonfly can consume hundreds of mosquitoes a day.
If you have an insect problem, contact a local experienced pest control company? Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state certified inspectors and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant and flea services to both commercial and residential clients.
Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation , or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence. Contact Us Today at Fastest Flying Insect is the Dragonfly March 1, Categories Pest Control.
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