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Dragonfly Facts & Worksheets

The dragonfly, also known as darner, devil’s arrow, or devil’s darning needle, is an aerial predatory insect that is commonly found near freshwater habitats.

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Dragonfly, also known as darner, devil’s arrow, or devil’s darning needle, is an aerial predatory insect that is commonly found near freshwater habitats.

See the fact file below for more information on Dragonfly, or you can download our 26-page Dragonfly worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION

  • A dragonfly is a flying predatory insect that belongs to the order Odonata (an order of flying insects that also includes damselflies) and belongs to the class Insecta (the largest group within the arthropod phylum).
  • Dragonflies, as adults, are identified by a pair of large eyes and two (2) pairs of strong transparent wings, sometimes with color patches.
  • Dragonflies are fast and agile fliers that are capable of highly accurate aerial ambush.
  • Dragonflies also have a complex reproduction process that typically involves indirect semination, sperm competition, and even delayed fertilization.

DRAGONFLIES VS DAMSELFLIES

  • Dragonflies are often mistaken for damselflies, and vice versa. Both dragonflies and damselflies are under the Odonata order, and they have similar body plans.
  • One distinction between the two is that the wings of a dragonfly are flat and held away from the body, while the wings of a damselfly are folded at rest and are located along or above the abdomen.
  • In terms of flying abilities, dragonflies tend to be agile fliers, whereas damselflies tend to have weaker and fluttery flights.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A DRAGONFLY

  • Dragonflies are heavy-bodied flying insects that hold their wings both during their flight or even at rest. 
  • There are three (3) distinct segments in an adult dragonfly: (1) the head, (2) the thorax, and (3) the abdomen. 
  • The head of a dragonfly is large and has very short antennae. Dragonflies also have two compound eyes, which cover most of their head surface. These compound eyes are made up of ommatidia. 
  • Other than the two compound eyes, dragonflies also have three simple eyes or ocelli. 
  • The thorax of a dragonfly consists of three (3) sub-segments. The prothorax of a dragonfly is small and flattened into a shield-like disc. 
  • The mesothorax and metathorax of a dragonfly are combined together into a rigid box-like structure with internal bracing. This combination provides a strong attachment for the wing muscles.
  • The thorax carries two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. The wings are long, veiny, and membranous. The hindwings tend to be broader as compared to the forewings.
  • The legs of a dragonfly are typically used to catch and hold its prey, as compared to walking. These legs are also usually used so that they can climb on plants. Each leg has two short basal joints, two long joints, a three-jointed foot, and a pair of claws.
  • The abdomen of a dragonfly is long and slender and divided into 10 segments. The 2nd and 3rd segments are enlarged. In males, the underside of the 2nd segment has a cleft that forms the secondary genitalia, which consists of the penis, genital lobe, lamina, and hamule. 
  • The 8th segment is where the genital opening of a female dragonfly can be found. Then, sperm is produced in the 9th segment. 
  • Adult dragonflies usually have iridescent or metallic colors which are from structural coloration. The general coloration of a dragonfly is a combination of yellow, brown, red, and black pigments.
  • Dragonflies’ wings are typically transparent, with visible dark veins and pterostigmata. 

BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION

  • Most dragonflies, especially the males, are territorial. They tend to defend their territories against insects from other groups, against other species of dragonflies, or even against their own species.
  • The reproduction process of dragonflies is a complex process. To start, the male has to first secure a territory and has to attract females to his territory while continuously defending his territory against other male dragonflies. Once the male dragonfly is ready to mate, he then transfers a packet of sperm from the primary opening of his genitalia to his secondary genitalia (near the base of the abdomen). The male dragonfly would then grasp the head of the female dragonfly using its claspers which are located at the end of his abdomen. Following this, the pair would then fly in tandem. The female dragonfly then curls her abdomen downwards and forwards to pick up the sperm from the male dragonfly.
  • After the mating process, the egg-laying or the ovipositing process is next. This process involves the female dragonfly darting over waterside vegetation while the male dragonfly hovers above the female to prevent rival males from removing his sperm and inserting their own. This removal and insertion of new sperm is possible due to delayed fertilization. 
  • Egg-laying or ovipositing has two (2) different forms, depending on the species. One form is wherein the female dragonfly has a sharp-edged ovipositor which she uses to slit open a stem or a leaf where she will lay her eggs.
  • Another form is wherein the female dragonfly lays her eggs by tapping the surface of the water repeatedly using her abdomen. Then, she shakes her eggs out to lay them.

LIFE CYCLE AND FEEDING

  • Dragonflies are hemimetabolous insects or insects with three (3) stages. These stages are the egg, nymph, and the adult stage. 
  • The egg stage of a dragonfly usually happens inside plant tissues, where the adult female dragonfly lays them. 
  • Most of the lifespan of a dragonfly is spent beneath the water’s surface, in the nymph stage. The nymph stage of a dragonfly can last up to five years. 
  • Once the nymph dragonfly is ready to become an adult dragonfly, it stops feeding and moves above the water’s surface. 
  • Most species of dragonflies are carnivorous; they eat a wide variety of insects, including small midges, mosquitoes, butterflies, and moths.
  • Dragonflies subdue bigger prey by biting their heads and carrying them using their legs. 
  • Dragonflies are also noted as some of the most efficient hunters in the insect world, catching up to around 95% of the prey they pursue. While these are the prey of adult dragonflies, nymph dragonflies are also efficient hunters, they feed on almost everything that is smaller than them. Their appetite includes bloodworms, tadpoles, and other insect larvae. 

TYPES OF DRAGONFLIES

  • There are countless types of dragonflies out there, but listed below are some of the common and easily identifiable ones.
  • The club-tail dragonflies are commonly seen around bodies of water in North America. The unique thing about club-tail dragonflies is that they have club-shaped tails. There are about 100
    species of club-tail dragonflies.
  • River cruiser dragonflies are often found along river banks and roads. This type of dragonfly is usually described by its long and slender body with yellow stripes.
  • Petaltail dragonflies are easily identifiable by the shape of their tails which appear to be petal-like. This type is also said to be the oldest.
  • Tigertail dragonflies got their name from the mixture of yellow and black stripes visible on their tail.

DRAGONFLIES AND HUMANS

  • In human culture, dragonflies are usually represented on artifacts, including pottery and paintings.
  • There are many Native American tribes that believe dragonflies to be medicinal animals with special powers. 
  • In Japan, dragonflies are linked with the autumn season. Dragonflies are symbols of rebirth, courage, strength, and happiness.
  • In Chinese culture, dragonflies stand for change and instability. 
  • Dragonflies are being used in traditional medicine in both China and Japan.

Dragonfly Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Dragonfly across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Dragonfly. Dragonfly, also known as darner, devil’s arrow, or devil’s darning needle, is an aerial predatory insect that is commonly found near freshwater habitats.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Dragonfly Facts
  2. Initially…
  3. My Parts
  4. Match Match
  5. Color Me
  6. Yum Yum
  7. Why?
  8. Pick and Describe
  9. They Can See You
  10. Stages
  11. What Did You Learn?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dragonflies?

Dragonflies are insects that belong to the order Odonata, which also includes damselflies. They are known for their long, slender bodies and two pairs of transparent wings that they can move independently. Dragonflies are also recognized for their large, compound eyes and powerful jaws.

Where do dragonflies live?

Dragonflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are commonly found near water sources, such as rivers, ponds, and lakes, where they lay their eggs. Dragonflies spend most of their lives as aquatic larvae, living in the water and feeding on other small aquatic organisms.

What do dragonflies eat?

As adults, dragonflies are voracious predators that feed on a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and other smaller dragonflies. They are known for their exceptional flying abilities, which allow them to catch their prey mid-flight.

What is the lifespan of a dragonfly?

The lifespan of a dragonfly depends on the species and the environment in which it lives. On average, dragonflies live for about six months to a year. However, some species can live up to five or six years in their larval stage before emerging as adults.

Why are dragonflies important?

Dragonflies play an important role in the ecosystem as predators, helping to control the population of other insects. They are also an indicator of water quality, as they require clean water to survive. Additionally, dragonflies have cultural significance in many parts of the world, representing strength, courage, and change.

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Link will appear as Dragonfly Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 4, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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