Difference between revisions of "Dragonfly" - New World Encyclopedia
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− | + | '''Dragonfly''' is the common name for an [[insect]] belonging to the infraorder (or suborder) '''Anisoptera''', characterized by an elongated body, large [[compound eye|multifaceted eyes]], and two pairs of strong transparent [[insect wing|wings]]. rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward | |
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+ | In a broader sense, dragonfly is used to designate any insect in the suborder Epiprocata (Bechly 1996) which includes the previous suborder Anisoptera, the "true dragonflies," as a infraorder. | ||
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+ | order [[Odonata]], the suborder [[Epiprocta]] or, in the strict sense, the infraorder '''Anisoptera'''. It is characterized by large [[compound eye|multifaceted eyes]], two pairs of strong transparent [[insect wing|wings]], and an elongated body. | ||
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+ | The word dragonfly is also sometimes used to refer to all Odonata. The term '''odonate''' has been coined to provide an [[English language|English]] name for the group as a whole, but is not in common usage; most Odonata enthusiasts avoid ambiguity by using the term "true dragonfly" when referring to just the Anisoptera infraorder. | ||
Dragonflies typically eat [[mosquito]]es, [[midges]] and other small insects like [[fly|flies]], [[bee]]s, and [[butterfly|butterflies]]. They are usually found around [[lake]]s, [[pond]]s, [[stream]]s, and [[wetland]]s because their [[larva]]e, known as "[[nymph (biology)|nymphs]]," are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans (though they will bite in order to , if grasped by the abdomen); in fact, they are valued as a [[predation|predator]] that helps control the populations of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes. It is because of this that dragonflies are sometimes called "mosquito hawks" in [[North America]], along with [[Tipulidae|crane flies]] (which, in fact, do not eat mosquitoes). | Dragonflies typically eat [[mosquito]]es, [[midges]] and other small insects like [[fly|flies]], [[bee]]s, and [[butterfly|butterflies]]. They are usually found around [[lake]]s, [[pond]]s, [[stream]]s, and [[wetland]]s because their [[larva]]e, known as "[[nymph (biology)|nymphs]]," are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans (though they will bite in order to , if grasped by the abdomen); in fact, they are valued as a [[predation|predator]] that helps control the populations of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes. It is because of this that dragonflies are sometimes called "mosquito hawks" in [[North America]], along with [[Tipulidae|crane flies]] (which, in fact, do not eat mosquitoes). | ||
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+ | ==Overview== | ||
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+ | s with all members of the [[arthropod]] class [[Insecta]], members of Ononata have three pairs of jointed appendages, exposed mouth parts, an exoskeleton, a segmented abdomen that lacks any legs or wings, and one pair of [[antenna (biology)|antennae]] on the head. | ||
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+ | '''Odonata''' is an [[Order (biology)|order]] of [[insect]]s (class Insecta) encompassing [[Dragonfly|dragonflies]] and [[Damselfly|damselflies]], with members characterized by large, compound [[eye]]s, chewing mouth parts, a long and slender abdomen, and multi-veined wings that are typically clear or transparent. Odonata is a relatively small insect order, comprising more than 5,500 known [[species]] (Grzimek et al. 2004). | ||
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+ | Members of Odonata characteristically have large rounded heads covered mostly by well-developed, [[compound eye|faceted eyes]], legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated, ten-segmented abdomens. | ||
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+ | In most families, the wings, which are large, multi-veined, and slender, have an opaque structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing, called the [[pterostigma]]. This actually is a thickened, blood–filled, and often colorful area called a cell. Cell in this case means a closed area of an insect wing bounded by veins. The functions of the pterostigma are not fully known, but it most probably has an aerodynamic effect as well as a visual function. More mass at the end of the wing may also reduce the energy needed to move the wings up and down. The right combination of wing stiffness and wing mass could, thus, reduce the energy consumption of flying. A pterostigma is also found among other insects, like [[bee]]s. | ||
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+ | Males have unique secondary genitalia on the underside of the second and third abdominal segments, which are distinct from the actual genital opening located near the tip of the abdomen (Grzimek et al. 2004). | ||
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+ | The two main groups are the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and the dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta), with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera. | ||
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+ | ===Dragonflies versus damselflies=== | ||
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+ | Although generally fairly similar, dragonflies differ from damselflies in several, easily recognizable traits. Dragonflies are strong fliers with fairly robust bodies and at rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward (or even somewhat forward). Damselflies tend to be less robust, even rather weak appearing in flight, and when at rest most species hold their wings folded back over the abdomen (see photograph below, left). Dragonfly eyes occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face. In damselflies, there is typically a gap between the eyes. | ||
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+ | [[Damselfly|Damselflies]] (Suborder Zygoptera) are often confused with dragonflies, but the two insects are distinct: most damselflies at rest hold their wings together above the body or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae), whereas dragonflies at rest hold their wings horizontally or occasionally slightly down and forward. Also, the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body, while the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing. The eyes on a damselfly are separated; in most dragonflies the eyes touch, with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (Petaltails) and the Gomphidae (Clubtails). Both are members of the Odonata, making their life cycles similar. | ||
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==Life cycle== | ==Life cycle== | ||
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The oldest known species of dragonfly is the 320 million year old ''[[Delitzschala bitterfeldensis]]''. Another old genus is ''[[Namurotypus]]''. | The oldest known species of dragonfly is the 320 million year old ''[[Delitzschala bitterfeldensis]]''. Another old genus is ''[[Namurotypus]]''. | ||
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==Some common species of the Northern Hemisphere== | ==Some common species of the Northern Hemisphere== | ||
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==Notes==<!-- ZOOTAXA 87: 1-18 —> | ==Notes==<!-- ZOOTAXA 87: 1-18 —> | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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+ | * {{aut|Rehn, A. C.}} (2003): Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata. ''Systematic Entomology'' '''28'''(2): 181-240. <small>{{DOI|10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00210.x}}</small> [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00210.x PDF fulltext] | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] | ||
− | {{credits|Dragonfly|164635468}} | + | {{credits|Dragonfly|164635468|Epiprocta|158023763}} |
Revision as of 18:44, 15 December 2007
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Dragonfly is the common name for an insect belonging to the infraorder (or suborder) Anisoptera, characterized by an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong transparent wings. rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward
In a broader sense, dragonfly is used to designate any insect in the suborder Epiprocata (Bechly 1996) which includes the previous suborder Anisoptera, the "true dragonflies," as a infraorder.
order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body.
The word dragonfly is also sometimes used to refer to all Odonata. The term odonate has been coined to provide an English name for the group as a whole, but is not in common usage; most Odonata enthusiasts avoid ambiguity by using the term "true dragonfly" when referring to just the Anisoptera infraorder.
Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, midges and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs," are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans (though they will bite in order to , if grasped by the abdomen); in fact, they are valued as a predator that helps control the populations of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes. It is because of this that dragonflies are sometimes called "mosquito hawks" in North America, along with crane flies (which, in fact, do not eat mosquitoes).
Overview
s with all members of the arthropod class Insecta, members of Ononata have three pairs of jointed appendages, exposed mouth parts, an exoskeleton, a segmented abdomen that lacks any legs or wings, and one pair of antennae on the head.
Odonata is an order of insects (class Insecta) encompassing dragonflies and damselflies, with members characterized by large, compound eyes, chewing mouth parts, a long and slender abdomen, and multi-veined wings that are typically clear or transparent. Odonata is a relatively small insect order, comprising more than 5,500 known species (Grzimek et al. 2004).
Members of Odonata characteristically have large rounded heads covered mostly by well-developed, faceted eyes, legs that facilitate catching prey (other insects) in flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings that move independently, and elongated, ten-segmented abdomens.
In most families, the wings, which are large, multi-veined, and slender, have an opaque structure on the leading edge near the tip of the wing, called the pterostigma. This actually is a thickened, blood–filled, and often colorful area called a cell. Cell in this case means a closed area of an insect wing bounded by veins. The functions of the pterostigma are not fully known, but it most probably has an aerodynamic effect as well as a visual function. More mass at the end of the wing may also reduce the energy needed to move the wings up and down. The right combination of wing stiffness and wing mass could, thus, reduce the energy consumption of flying. A pterostigma is also found among other insects, like bees.
Males have unique secondary genitalia on the underside of the second and third abdominal segments, which are distinct from the actual genital opening located near the tip of the abdomen (Grzimek et al. 2004).
The two main groups are the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and the dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta), with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera.
Dragonflies versus damselflies
Although generally fairly similar, dragonflies differ from damselflies in several, easily recognizable traits. Dragonflies are strong fliers with fairly robust bodies and at rest hold their wings either out to the side or out and downward (or even somewhat forward). Damselflies tend to be less robust, even rather weak appearing in flight, and when at rest most species hold their wings folded back over the abdomen (see photograph below, left). Dragonfly eyes occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face. In damselflies, there is typically a gap between the eyes.
Damselflies (Suborder Zygoptera) are often confused with dragonflies, but the two insects are distinct: most damselflies at rest hold their wings together above the body or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae), whereas dragonflies at rest hold their wings horizontally or occasionally slightly down and forward. Also, the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body, while the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing. The eyes on a damselfly are separated; in most dragonflies the eyes touch, with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (Petaltails) and the Gomphidae (Clubtails). Both are members of the Odonata, making their life cycles similar.
Life cycle
Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, often in or on floating or emergent plants. Some species when laying eggs will submerge themselves completely just to lay their eggs in a suitable place. Most of the life of the dragonfly is spent in the larval, (naiad, aka nymph) form, beneath the water surface, using internal gills to breathe, and using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles and fish. The larvae of large dragonflies may live as long as five years, or two months to three years in smaller species. When the the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant at night, and when it does the breathing pattern changes inside the larvae's body. Then the skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, waits for the sun to rise, pumps up its wings and flies off to feed on midges and flies. In the adult stage, larger species of dragonfly can live as long as four months.
Classification
Ancient dragonflies ("Anisozygoptera")
Conventionally, the Anisoptera were given suborder rank beside the ancient dragonflies ("Anisozygoptera," two living species and numerous fossil ones), but it has been determined recently that the Anisozygoptera form a paraphyletic assemblage of primitive relatives of the Anisoptera. Thus, the Anisoptera are reduced to an infraorder, forming the new suborder Epiprocta (dragonflies in a general sense). The artificial grouping Anisozygoptera is disbanded, its members being recognized as largely extinct offshoots at various stages of dragonfly evolution.
The oldest known species of dragonfly is the 320 million year old Delitzschala bitterfeldensis. Another old genus is Namurotypus.
Some common species of the Northern Hemisphere
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Some common species of the Southern Hemisphere
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Dragonflies in culture
In Europe, dragonflies have often been viewed as sinister. Some English vernacular names, such as "devil's needle" and "ear cutter," link them with evil or injury.[1] A Romanian folk tale says that the dragonfly was once a horse possessed by the devil, and Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people's souls.[2] Another Swedish legend holds that trolls use the dragonflies as spindles when weaving their clothes (hence the Swedish word for dragonfly trollslända, lit. "troll's spindle") as well as sending them to poke out the eyes of their enemies.[citation needed] The Norwegian name for dragonflies is "Øyenstikker," which literally means Eye Poker. They are often associated with snakes, as in the Welsh name gwas-y-neidr, "adder's servant".[1] The Southern United States term "snake doctor" refers to a folk belief that dragonflies follow snakes around and stitch them back together if they are injured.[3] The Lithuanian word "Laumžirgis" is a composite word meaning "the Lauma's horse," while in Dutch, Aeshna mixta is called "Paardenbijter" or "horse biter." In some South American countries, dragonflies are also called matacaballo (horse killer), or caballito del diablo (devil's horse), since they were perceived as harmful, some species being quite large for an insect.
In East Asia and among Native Americans, dragonflies have a far better reputation, one that can also be said to have positively influenced modern day views about dragonflies in most countries.
For some Native American tribes they represent swiftness and activity, and for the Navajo they symbolize pure water. Dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery; stylized as a double-barred cross, they appear in Hopi rock art and on Pueblo necklaces.[4] It is said in some Native American beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship.
In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku. In ancient mythology, Japan was known as Akitsushima, which means "Land of the Dragonflies." The love for dragonflies is reflected by the fact that there are traditional names for almost all of the 200 species of dragonflies found in and around Japan.[5] Japanese children catch large dragonflies as a game, using a hair with a small pebble tied to each end, which they throw into the air. The dragonfly mistakes the pebbles for prey, gets tangled in the hair, and is dragged to the ground by the weight.[6]
They also have traditional uses as medicine in Japan and China. In some parts of the world they are a food source, eaten either as adults or larvae; in Indonesia, for example, they are caught on poles made sticky with birdlime, then fried in oil as a delicacy.[1]
Vietnamese people have a traditional way to forecast rain by seeing dragonflies: "Chuồn chuồn bay thấp thì mưa, bay cao thì nắng, bay vừa thì râm" (Dragonflies fly at low level, it is rainy; dragonflies fly at high level, it is sunny; dragonflies fly at medium level, it is shadowy).
Images of dragonflies were common in Art Nouveau, especially in jewelry designs.[7] They have also been used as a decorative motif on fabrics and home furnishings.[8]
Gallery
- Dragon Fly.JPG
African dragonfly perched on a leaf
- Dragonfly23.JPG
Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) in Romania
See also
- Elliot Pinhey
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Phillip S. Corbet (1999). Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 559-561. ISBN 0-8014-2592-1.
- ↑ Forrest L. Mitchell and James L. Lasswell (2005). A Dazzle of Dragonflies. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 25-27. ISBN 1-585-44459-6.
- ↑ Wayland D. Hand (1973). From Idea to Word: Folk Beliefs and Customs Underlying Folk Speech. American Speech 48 (1/2): 67-76. - Retrieved October 15, 2007.
- ↑ Mitchell and Lasswell, 20-26.
- ↑ Gilbert Waldbauer (1998). The Handy Bug Answer Book. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. ISBN 1-57859-049-3.
- ↑ Mitchell and Lasswell, 38.
- ↑ Wendy Moonan, , "Dragonflies Shimmering as Jewelry", New York Times, August 13, 1999, pp. E2:38.
- ↑ Elizabeth Large, , "THE LATEST BUZZ; In the world of design, dragonflies are flying high", The Sun (Baltimore, MD), June 27, 1999, pp. 6N.
- Rehn, A. C. (2003): Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships of Odonata. Systematic Entomology 28(2): 181-240. DOI:10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00210.x PDF fulltext
External links
All links retrieved October 15, 2007.
- Odonata - Tree of Life
- Open Directory Project - DMOZ
- Dragonflies of North America - diagnostic photos and information - cirrusimage.com
- Identification key to dragonflies found in Ireland - habitas.org.uk
- study and conservation of dragonflies and their natural habitats - British Dragonfly Society
- List of Anisoptera of the World - ups.edu
- Photos of most British species - brocross.com
- Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the United States - USGS
- Checklists, photogallery,... Dragonflies of Kerala, South India. - Green Explorer
- Photogallery - by Dan Bárta et al.
- DragonflyIndia Group - Yahoo! Tech
- ECHO and PHAON - Africa Dragonfly
- Odonatologica - Journal of the Societas Internationalis Odonatologica
- Photos of South African species by Greg Lasley
- Maps, photographs and additional information pertaining to the Odonata of North America - Odonata Central
- Short film, "Emergence of a Dragonfly" - NFB
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