Believe it or not, dragonflies could be your ultimate savior from the blood-sucking monsters like mosquitoes, flies, and bugs! But do dragonflies eat mosquitoes really?
Yes, they do!
I know there is plenty of information where it’s claiming the opposite. You don’t have to believe me. Instead, I will show you a video to prove my point.
You will also learn what else they eat and how you can attract them into your garden. Stay with me!
Dragonflies Love Munching On Mosquitoes
Out of over 5,000 various species of dragonflies, these harmless creatures rarely appear with definite intervals on special occasions. Such discontinuity is because of their wingspan, which can grow up to 7 inches.
However, other factors go into summoning them over and having them around for long.
Dragonflies are beautiful mosquito exterminators. But how many mosquitoes do dragonflies eat in a day?
Here’s a mind-blowing fact about them: Dragonflies can devour around hundreds of mosquitoes in a single day!
Adult dragonflies can eat around thirty to hundreds of mosquitoes, which is the best natural escape from controlling those ravenous creatures.
Rather than hunting down mosquitoes in any welcoming area, dragonflies are efficient hunters for other disease-carriers like midges, black flies, horseflies, and so on.
Don’t confuse dragonfly with crane fly. Crane-fly does not eat mosquitoes but dragonfly does!
These disease-carriers can own up to 15% of the dragonflies’ body weight. Now, watch this video to see for yourself how it’s catching and eating mosquitoes.
Do Dragonflies Eat Spiders?
As summer nears in, so will our blissful days in the sun. Ah, the joy of tanning in our backyard with a glass of lemonade in our hands. But, before you know it
You’re swatting away flies, bugs, and mosquitoes! Ugh!
So, how about spiders? Can dragonfly do anything about them?
Pest control without the aid of dragonflies would not be as feasible as today.
As brutal as it may sound to some, these tiny living beings can take on most other flying beings, moths, butterflies, and even smaller dragonflies.
One of the most shocking revelations is that more giant dragonflies can even devour tiny fishes, aquatic insect larvae, and bloodworms.
Generally, the Asian dragonfly species love to feast on spiders. These harmless 3-feet long flies have been on top of the eco-system for years now.
The Meganeura, also commonly labeled as giant butterflies since ancient times, is still roaming around freely and actively in charge of the world’s natural pest control.
One of the most apparent reasons why dragonflies can commit to brutal kills is that they fly at a calculated velocity, letting them snatch spiders right from their sticky webs.
Their multi-directional and advanced lenses are the oil to this coherently running killing machine.
In a counterfeit situation, adult dragonflies can even become food for bats, birds, lizards, and spiders. Other than the nonexclusive newts, frogs, and fishes, dragonflies can be food for many more mammals, birds, amphibians, and aquatic creatures.
Just like the circle of life, the eco-system keeps on regulating in circles too.
Do Dragonflies Eat Wasps?
Accurately enough, dragonflies were claimed as the world’s deadliest hunters. As astounding as that may sound, it’s true. Even big cats like tigers and lions seem to have been defeated from such glory.
These winged creatures have a rate of 95% success in catching their prey. Their significant, advanced, and intuitive eyes can keep track of their target at all times.
Moreover, a staggering key point for dragonflies triumphantly enjoying wasps as their snacks is that even though wasps are intellectual in sneaking away from their predators, dragonflies can predict their flight and subsequent movement direction.
Thus, grasping mosquitoes, wasps, bees, ants, and flies is mere child’s play for these hunters.
Dragonflies mainly prey on wasps in wetlands, streams, ponds, lakes, or marshes. What’s even more impressive is that dragonflies usually approach their prey from a distance below.
This eradicates most chances of missing the attack out of nowhere and sheer surprise.
As the dragonfly’s head and body move independently from one another, they can rapidly lock their sight on the targets and let their body take control over the maneuverability.
Another minor detail that we can’t miss is such a simple bulls-eye hit every time by the dragonflies, and their aim and endgame don’t get affected by the wasps’ altering trajectories flight mode.
As they’re intently focused and intuitive, no matter how many twists and turns the wasps harshly carve, the dragonflies are meant to catch up.
Lastly, it would be a shame to underestimate the dragonflies’ legs. They are incredibly unforgiving. The dragonflies create a basket out of their legs at the finish line, and the wasps or other prey reluctantly obliges.
Who knew one of the world’s top predators could have diverse majestic looks and wings while keeping a perfect balance in nature? Not us!
But wait, this leads to an even bigger dilemma, which is how to beckon over our wasp-eating friend so that we can relax in our patio beds during summer?
Good question. Luckily, we have the answers to that, as well.
How To Attract Dragonflies?
As dragonfly watching has surpassed years in becoming a favorite for many, people still struggle to hold on to that.
Dragonflies aren’t an easy catch to hold on to. But, indeed, there are a few ways to do so. Let’s dive in to know what attracts dragonflies the most.
- Water, Water, And More Water!
Dragonflies happen to be aquatic creatures. They tend to lay eggs in water and leave the larvae to grow there.
Anything between a small wading barrel of water and even a large or tiny pond can get the job done. However, studies show that the best results are attained if it’s a relatively large pond, with around 2-feet depth and sloped sides.
- Nature
You can also top off the whole look with vegetation, flat rocks, flowers, and so on. Dragonflies love a hint of nature in their birthing place, too, as aquatic vegetation and plants are great cover-ups for the larvae.
Don’t forget to decorate with flat rocks around the perimeter. These are resting places for the dragonflies so they can bask in the sunlight.
A few more rocks and stones emerging from the deeper ends can lead to sneakier hiding places for their larvae’s growth and survival stages.
- Plants
Water lilies aren’t only pretty to look at, but they’re an innovative way to provide curtains to the dragonflies. Water lilies can regulate the growth and production of algae too.
Place a few water lilies at one and a half or two feet depths. A smart way out to avoid winter freeze-out is to move them even deeper into the pond.
- A Garden
Besides building a vintage pond in your backyard, you can supplement and complete the view with a small garden. It won’t just be calming and pleasant to your eyes, but it will lure in dragonflies too.
Plants such as joe-pye, swamp milkweed, and black-eyed susan are some of the dragonflies’ best preferences. But, if you’re unfamiliar with these, stick with us and take a gander at these sophisticated flowers and get to know them.
- Yarrow-White Wildflowers –
Will show excellent results with loads of sunlight and non-rich and dry soil.
- Meadow Sage –
Also known as ‘Blue Hill,’ these eye-catchy purple flowers can thrive in minimal shade, water, and a fair amount of sunlight. As these are also plants that can survive in drier areas, they can go days without getting water.
- Dwarf Sagittaria Subulata
This one demands a nutrient-filled substrate and consistent, hard water to grow.
- Black-Eyed Susan
This will be your best friend if you want a low-maintenance yet, absolutely stunning enhancement to your garden. Accommodable to any soil, these radiant flower plants can bloom with only regular sunlight and water.
There are still a few don’ts that you must abide by to build a delicate eco-system for these dragonflies.
- Unfortunately, you must avoid having pet fishes near this dragonfly-dedicated pond. Fishes tend to feast upon these larvae, which will eventually rupture your whole goal. Additionally, the introduction of any other nymph, larvae, and egg-eating animals like ducks and frogs needs to be ruled out too.
- If your pond has stagnant water, the adversities are endless. Mosquitoes would attract this scenario more, and you definitely don’t want that. In order to eradicate such chances and still keep your pond decent, you can try releasing bacteria that prey upon mosquito larvae and not dragonfly larvae.
- You must keep all sorts of fertilizers and poisonous substances away from your pond.
- If the depth is more than two feet around the center of your pond, it can overheat the water. The pond should have very shallow edges to avoid quick dry-ups and overheating. The deeper middle section is to assists the dragonflies in steering clear of predators.
- The pond doesn’t necessarily have to be huge and with a filter. However, the location should be protected from harsh winds. There must be a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day.
Conclusion
So, to answer your most intriguing question on do dragonflies eat mosquitoes and other bugs? Yes!
To our absolute benefit, they do. Even though most readers would be shocked at the revelation, attracting dragonflies into your yard might be the safest logical way out of this distress.
As they cheerfully devour their meal, it will leave you with fewer buzzing noises and more outdoor retreats.
Yay!
Go ahead and help the eco-system and yourself by welcoming these beautiful dragonflies into your lives.
About Author
I have always had lots of dragonflies, but this year I have seen none. And the mosquitos are everywhere. I cannot even go outside without getting several bites. I have flower gardens and am between two lakes. I just simply don’t understand why for twenty years I have had tons of dragonflies and none this year. Thank you for the article. Very enjoyable read.