Thursday, July 5, 2012

Dragonfly Unique


Animals Unique | Dragonfly Unique | The dragonfly is large predatory insect Generally found around watery areas in both the North and South hemispheres. The dragonfly is very similar to a damselfly but the wings on the adults are considerably different.

The dragonfly is found hovering near lakes and swamps as the dragonfly larvae (the nymph / baby) is aquatic. The dragonfly nymph is capable of producing a painful bite for Humans, where the adult dragonfly poses no threat.

The dragonfly is best known for its beautiful colors and the way it's body and wings sparkle when the dragonfly is flying around the water.

 
Dragonflies have long, thin bodies and colorful Generally, large eyes and two pairs of transparent wings. As with other species of insect, the dragonfly also has six legs but it is Unable to walk on solid ground. In flight the adult dragonfly can propel the which Itself in six directions are upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side.

Both the dragonfly and it's larvae are Carnivorous animals and They feed exclusively on other small animals. The main prey of the dragonfly are mosquitoes, flies, bees and other small invertebrates. The dragonfly larvae feeds on aquatic insects Mainly and Their Eggs.

 
The dragonfly is preyed upon by a number of predators around the world Including birds, fish and lizards Reptiles Such as. The dragonfly is also commonly eaten by amphibians Such as toads, frogs and large Newts.

 
 
 Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near Their water, on floating or emergent Often plants. The dragonfly eggs then hatch into nymphs. the which is how most of the dragonfly's life is spent. The dragonfly nymphs live Beneath the water's surface, using extendible jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates Such as tadpoles and fish.

 
The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years. In smaller species, this stage may last months Between two and three years. When the larva is ready to Metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant. Exposure to air Causes the larvae to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on midges and flies.

 
Dragonfly Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Anisoptera
Common Name: Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Anisoptera
Found: Worldwide
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 2.4-10cm (1-4in)
Number of Species: 5.000
Average Lifespan: 6 years
Conservation Status: Threatened
Colour: Yellow, Black, Orange, Red, White. Brown, Blue
Skin Type: Hair
Favourite Food: mosquitoes
Habitat: Wetlands and close to water
Average Litter Size: 60
Main Prey: mosquitoes, Fly, Bee
Predators: Birds, Fish, Lizards
Special Features: Long body shape and large, transparent wings

No comments:

Post a Comment