CITIZEN SCIENCE
DRAGONS Water IRELAND’S DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES BY DAVE WALL
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Four-spotted Chaser by Dave Wall
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o say that dragonflies and damselflies have a long history would be a bit of an understatement. The earliest dragonfly ancestors pre-dated the dinosaurs, going back 350 million years! These ancestors-of-dragonflies included the largest winged insects that ever lived, with a nearly one metre wingspan! Dragonflies and damselflies that resembled the ones we know today appeared on the scene a mere 250 million years ago. Historically known as ‘devil’s darning needles’, they were associated with evil in many European cultures and were reputed to sew up the mouths or eyes of naughty children! We now know that dragonflies and damselflies are totally harmless to humans. They are, however, a supremely effective predator of flying insects, feed on a range of species including midges, mosquitos, flies, wasps, butterflies, and other dragonflies and damselflies. Thanks to their amazing eyesight and superior flight control, they have an incredible 95% success rate when hunting. Dragonflies and damselflies are charismatic insects that are easily recognised by their large size and dazzling body colours.
Irish Wildlife Summer '22
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11/05/2022 15:22
