Difference between revisions of "Dragonfly" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Dragonfly''' is the common name for | + | '''Dragonfly''' is the common name for any [[insect]] belonging to the infraorder (or suborder) '''Anisoptera''' of the order [[Odonata]], characterized by an elongated body, large [[compound eye|multifaceted eyes]], and two pairs of strong transparent [[insect wing|wings]], which at rest are typically held out to the side or out and downward. In a broader sense, dragonfly is used to designate any insect in Epiprocata (Bechly 1996), which in recent taxonomies is a relatively new suborder that was created and that subsumes as an infraorder the previous suborder Anisoptera, the "true dragonflies." |
| − | + | 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, while the term "true dragonfly" may be used in reference to just the Anisoptera. | |
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| + | ==Overview and description== | ||
| − | + | As with all members of the [[arthropod]] class [[Insecta]], dragonflies 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. | |
| − | + | '''Odonata''' is an [[Order (biology)|order]] of [[insect]]s 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. Members of Odonata characteristically have large rounded heads, 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 of Odonata, 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]]. 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). | |
| − | + | Within odonata, the two main groups are the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and the dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta), with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera. Dragonflies tend to be large insects with four elongate, membranous wings with characteristic, net-like veins. The antennae tend to be very small. | |
| − | + | Dragonflies are predatory insects and 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 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]]. | |
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===Dragonflies versus damselflies=== | ===Dragonflies versus damselflies=== | ||
| + | [[Image:Orthetrum_cancellatum.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Dragonfly, ''Orthetrum cancellatum'', with wings out to the side while at rest]] | ||
| + | [[Image:Common_blue_damselfly02.jpg|thumb|right|190px|A damselfly (Coenagrionidae), with wings folded together over the abdomen]] | ||
| + | Although generally fairly similar, dragonflies differ from damselflies (suborder Zygotpera) in several, easily recognizable traits. Dragonflies have fairly robust bodies, are strong fliers, 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 hold their wings either folded together back above the abdomen or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae). 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. Dragonfly eyes typically occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face, with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (Petaltails) and the Gomphidae (Clubtails). In damselflies, there is typically a gap between the eyes. | ||
| − | + | Both are members of the Odonata, making their life cycles similar. | |
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==Life cycle== | ==Life cycle== | ||
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==Notes==<!-- ZOOTAXA 87: 1-18 —> | ==Notes==<!-- ZOOTAXA 87: 1-18 —> | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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| + | Grzimekt | ||
* {{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] | * {{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] | ||
Revision as of 19:55, 15 December 2007
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.jpg) Yellow-winged Darter
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Aeshnidae |
Dragonfly is the common name for any insect belonging to the infraorder (or suborder) Anisoptera of the order Odonata, characterized by an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which at rest are typically held out to the side or out and downward. In a broader sense, dragonfly is used to designate any insect in Epiprocata (Bechly 1996), which in recent taxonomies is a relatively new suborder that was created and that subsumes as an infraorder the previous suborder Anisoptera, the "true dragonflies."
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, while the term "true dragonfly" may be used in reference to just the Anisoptera.
Overview and description
As with all members of the arthropod class Insecta, dragonflies 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 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. Members of Odonata characteristically have large rounded heads, 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 of Odonata, 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. 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).
Within odonata, the two main groups are the damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and the dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta), with true dragonflies in infraorder Anisoptera. Dragonflies tend to be large insects with four elongate, membranous wings with characteristic, net-like veins. The antennae tend to be very small.
Dragonflies are predatory insects and 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 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.
Dragonflies versus damselflies
Although generally fairly similar, dragonflies differ from damselflies (suborder Zygotpera) in several, easily recognizable traits. Dragonflies have fairly robust bodies, are strong fliers, 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 hold their wings either folded together back above the abdomen or held slightly open above (such as in the family Lestidae). 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. Dragonfly eyes typically occupy much of the animal's head, touching (or nearly touching) each other across the face, with notable exceptions to this being in the Petaluridae (Petaltails) and the Gomphidae (Clubtails). In damselflies, there is typically a gap between the eyes.
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
Australian blue dragonfly
- Dragon Fly.JPG
African dragonfly perched on a leaf
Green Darner Dragonfly feeding on honey bee
Austrogomphus guerini
Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly, Sympetrum rubicundulum
Dragonfly in midflight over a creek
The compound eyes of a dragonfly
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk,
Sympetrum internum
Dragonflies mating
mating
mating
Dragonfly depositing eggs
Dragonfly from Lower Silesia (Poland) - bottom
Dragonfly from Lower Silesia - top
- Dragonfly23.JPG
Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) in Romania
Indian pied paddy skimmer female
Indian pied paddy skimmer male
in Brazos Bend State Park, Texas, USA
.jpg)
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.
Grzimekt
- 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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