Dragonfly Nymph (Naiad)

Freshwater environments including ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams; often found in benthic zones or submerged vegetation.

Carnivorous; they eat aquatic insects, mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and even small fish using a specialized extendable lower lip (labium).

They are ambush predators that live underwater for months to years. They breathe through internal gills in their rectum and can propel themselves forward by rapidly ejecting water.

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem as they control mosquito populations. They are harmless to humans, though larger nymphs can deliver a small, non-venomous nip if handled roughly.