Dragonfly Basics
What order do dragonflies belong to?
Odonata
How many wings does a dragonfly have?
4
What do dragonflies catch while flying?
Small insects
What sense do dragonflies rely on most to communicate?
Vision
Name one insect dragonflies eat.
Mosquitoes or flies.
Where do dragonflies usually live?
Near ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.
What helps dragonflies spot prey and predators?
Their large compound eyes.
What triggers a dragonfly to hunt?
Seeing a moving insect
What do males use to attract females?
Flying displays and bright colors.
Name two animals that eat dragonflies.
Birds, fish, frogs, or larger insects.
What kingdom do dragonflies belong to?
Animalia
What allows dragonflies to change direction quickly?
Their four independently moving wings.
Why do female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water?
Their young need water to develop.
Do dragonflies mainly communicate through sound?
No, they mainly use visual signals and movement.
Are dragonflies predators, prey, or both?
Both predators and prey.
What class do dragonflies belong to?
Insecta
Why do dragonflies bask in the sun?
To warm their bodies so they can fly and hunt.
Why do male dragonflies defend territories near water?
To attract mates.
What are the three stages of a dragonfly's life cycle?
Egg, nymph, and adult.
How do dragonflies help their ecosystem?
They control insect populations and provide food for other animals.
What is the scientific name of the dragonfly suborder?
Anisoptera
Name two behavioral adaptations of dragonflies.
Hunting in flight and basking in the sun.
Is hunting in flight an innate or learned behavior?
Innate behavior
How is touch used during dragonfly mating?
The male grasps the female with special appendages to form a mating pair
What might happen if dragonfly populations decreased?
Mosquito populations might increase, and animals that eat dragonflies could lose a food source.