Dragonflies – Important Environmental Indicators

Dragonflies, like this female Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), consume insects and invertebrates making them a critical link in the food chain. Eastern Pondhawks in particular are known to consume large numbers of agricultural pests. Dragonflies are cold blooded --this pondhawk is warming itself in the sun on a stoop. Photo courtesy of Chris Pupke.

Dragonflies -The Hawks of the Insect World Are Important Environmental Indicators Dragonflies are an ancient family of insects. They have been around for 300 million years — predating even the dinosaurs. Some ancient dragonflies had a wingspan of more than 2 feet. Today, there are more than 5,000 different species of dragonflies and they can … Continue reading Dragonflies – Important Environmental Indicators