Do Dragonflies Eat Mosquitos?

Dragonflies are a type of insect found all over the world (except Antarctica)! Did you know that Dragonflies are also called by other names, including darners, devil’s arrows, or devil’s darning needles? These magical insects have long bodies and four long, horizontal wings. However, they are easily identified by their pattern of flight, which involves hovering and whizzing around. Actually, the flight of dragonflies is closely related to food! How exactly do dragonflies fly? How is their flight related to food? Do dragonflies eat mosquitos? Read ahead to know more!

How exactly do dragonflies fly?

Dragonflies have two pairs of narrow, veined , membrane-like wings that are usually transparent, but have colored markings. The two pairs of wings are shaped differently and are called the front and the rear wing pairs. As their two sets of wings can move independently, dragonflies can fly in all directions. Dragonflies can fly upwards, downwards, backwards, forwards, side to side, and they can even hover in place in the air!

Compared to other insects, dragonflies may be quite large, having wingspans of up to 16 centimeters (6 inches). On the contrary, smaller species of dragonflies have wingspans which are about 20 millimeters (0.8 inch).

Dragonflies have a powerful build and are generally stronger fliers. Using their wings, dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour (56 kilometers an hour). This makes them some of the fastest insect species! The wing muscles of dragonflies must be kept warm to work in an optimal manner. So, the insects often bask in the sun or whirr their wings to generate heat before flying.

How is their flight related to food?

Dragonflies are mostly found near freshwater habitats. The speed of their flight and their agility makes dragonflies one of the best predators in the air in such habitats. When it comes to hunting for food, dragonflies capture an amazing 95% of their intended prey !

Dragonflies are able to track moving prey insects and hunt them down while flying. Dragonflies can also determine where their prey will be when they catch up to it. Within milliseconds, dragonflies can calculate the distance of their prey, the direction their prey is moving, and the speed at which their prey is flying. With this information, the dragonfly determines the best direction to catch their prey!

Dragonflies catch their insect prey with their feet while in flight. Compared to most insect prey, dragonflies (as predators) can fly farther and higher. In fact, dragonflies will starve if unable to fly, as they can only eat prey they have caught while flying.

Do dragonflies eat mosquitos?

Yes, they do!

A single dragonfly can consume thirty to hundred mosquitoes each day! In fact, dragonflies are important throughout the world as they greatly control the mosquito population.

But dragonflies don’t just eat mosquitoes. Small flying insects are their usual insect prey. Although, dragonflies prefer to prey on mosquitoes and small flies, they may also prey on bees, butterflies, and even other dragonflies.

Flesch Kincaid Grade Level: 7.3

Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease: 65