Larval stage

Dragonflies spend most of their lives as aquatic larvae. They hatch from eggs laid in vegetation or dead wood and live and grow in still, freshwater ponds or marshes. Even as larvae they are skilled predators, feeding on other larvae insects and worms.

Metamorphosis

To begin the transition to adulthood, a larva climbs out of the water and breathes air. The hard exoskeleton then cracks open and the adult dragonfly emerges. The insect needs to take its time though, waiting for its new body to harden before taking flight.

Temperature regulation

Adult dragonflies can maintain their internal body temperature by shivering wings, hunting, and basking in the sun. To cool down, dragonflies will seek shade, be less active and use the ‘obelisk position’, pointing its long abdomen into the air.

Dragonfly migration

A small number of species are migratory and can cover huge distances. The ‘globe skimmer’ species (Pantala flavescens) holds the record for the longest insect migration, travelling 14,000-18,000km (8,700-11,186mi) between India and Africa.

Territorial behaviour

Adult dragonflies return to mate near water, and some males will battle to defend their patch. Any female is a potential mate. Dragonfly mating is unique: when a couple are ‘in tandem’ they complete a wheel or heart-like shape to transfer sperm.

Swarming groups

There are two types of dragonfly swarms: feeding and migration. Feeding swarms can consist of different species, congregating quite close to the ground or water. Migration swarms fly higher, and usually a single species makes the journey.