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Dragonflies II
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ARTHROPODA:
INSECTA: ODONATA
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Dragonflies
Photos by Dr. Robert G. Sprackland.
At right: a beautiful dragonfly photographed in Papua New Guinea.
South bank of Fly River, about 8 miles east of Kiunga,
Western Province, June 2000.
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| Dragonflies
are literally awesome, with their elaborate twin sets of stiff wings,
phenomenal flying abilities, huge eyes, and famous predatory skills. They
are falsely believed by many people to possess a dangerous sting in the
tail, but are entirely harmless to anything but the insects upon which
they prey. The juvenile, or nymph, stage is aquatic and may feed on small
fish as well as insects and spiders.
Dragonflies have an ancient and well-preserved
lineage. They appeared during the formation o the great coal swamps in the
Carboniferous Period, at which time some species sported wingspans
approaching 0.9 meters/ 3 feet in width. Contemporary species are more
modest, with the largest wingspan about 20 cm/ 10".
Only true flies (order Diptera) probably fly with
greater agility than dragonflies. Despite their great agility, dragonflies
form important prey for many birds, reptiles, and some fishes. They are
found in all but the coolest regions of the globe, from tropical forests
to the temperate northern regions. They are absent from deserts and other
areas that lack permanent still fresh water. |
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At Right: A resting clear-winged dragonfly from the
swampy rainforest northwest of Giringarande, Western Province, Papua New
Guinea.
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This
intense red dragonfly was seen on the South bank of Fly River, about 8 miles east of Kiunga,
Western Province, June 2000. |
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At right and below is a multicolored
dragonfly photographed at the Kiunga Guest House, Papua New Guinea. These
beautiful insects are common in the midst of human activity as well as the
most remote forest.
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The somber coloring of this specimen (left) helps
camouflage the insect when it is at rest. Sometimes the "drab"
species allow a photographer closer approach than the colorful
dragonflies. Taken near Giringarande, Papua New Guinea.
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At right, another beautiful New Guinea dragonfly,
with dark wings and red wing tips. From about 8 miles east of Kiunga,
Western Province, PNG. |
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