Dragonfly

Natural Habitat

Freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes, particularly those with plenty of vegetation.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; as adults, they hunt small flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, and moths. As nymphs (larvae), they eat aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish.

Behavior Patterns

Expert aerial hunters capable of flying in any direction and hovering. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with an aquatic larval stage (nymph) that can last for years before emerging as flying adults.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Major ecosystem service as population control for mosquitoes and other pests. Risks: Virtually none; they do not sting and only bite humans if handled roughly, rarely breaking the skin.

Identified on: 3/23/2026