Dragonfly

Aged picture of dragonfly resting on a dried palm leaf

Dragonflies are friendly insects. They are valuable predators that feed on mosquitoes, our enemies. They also feed on other small insects such as flies, bees, ants and small butterflies.

Original picture

How do we attract butterflies to our homes and gardens?

It is not beautiful and bright flowers that attract dragonflies. It is water and the ponds. Dragonflies rely on water throughout their life cyce. Their babies, or nymph live underwater for months and years before emerging as adult dragonflies. Nymphs feed on mosquito larva and other small fishes and tadpoles. Adult dragonflies are carnivors. They hunt for prey near water and lay their eggs in water or on plants near to water. If you have a pond or a stream nearby, you will be able to see dragonflies in the late evenings. If you wish to attract dragonflies to your home or garden, build a pond, even a small one will do. Water plants will provide places for them to perch.

The first picture is my entry for Monochrome Maniacs. My grateful thanks to Aileni for hosting this wonderful site. For other MM posts around the world, please click here.

The second picture is my entry for Mellow Yellow Monday # 34. My grateful thanks to Drowsey Monkey for hosting this fun site. For other MYM posts around the world, please click here.