50+ Lifestyles

An Ancient Wonder

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

Magic is seeing wonder in nature’s every little thing,
seeing how wonderful the fireflies are
and how magical are the dragonflies”

                                          … Ama Vanniarachchy

On a partly sunny day in between the raindrops I found time to sit on my screen porch. My intent was to relax and read my book (the plot of which was at a heightened stage). I soon was distracted by a faint activity on the outside of the screen and was amazed to see two dragonflies in an amorous position. It has been awhile since I have noticed dragonflies. When we lived in our log home in the Illinois countryside, they were drawn to the pond we had on our property, which provided a wonderful habitat for breeding.

Dragonflies thrive in areas with clean, fresh water, making ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams ideal environments. So why were they here in town in our backyard, void of any ponds or lakes? Research indicated that dragonflies can absolutely be found in suburban neighborhoods in the Quad Cities. The Quad Cities even has specific locations known for dragonfly observation, including the West Lake Park in Scott County, which is less than five miles from our house. Dragonflies need fresh water for reproduction, and while they are most prevalent around larger bodies of water like lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands, they can be attracted to any clean, fresh water source. So if your suburban area has ponds (natural or man-made), marshy areas, or even well-maintained backyard water features, you’re likely to see dragonflies. Female dragonflies lay their eggs in or near water where they typically hatch into nymphs within one to five weeks. The nymph stage is the longest period of the insect’s life and can range from two months to several years, depending on the species. When the nymph is ready to become an adult, it climbs out of the water, sheds its shell-like skin, and spends about a week maturing. The lifespan of an adult dragonfly ranges from a few days to a few months.

The most prevalent dragonfly found in Iowa is the common green darner. This species can be identified by its bright green thorax and blue or reddish-brown abdomen. Most dragonflies cannot tolerate cold temperatures and fly south for the winter. Dragonflies can travel varying distances, depending on the species, with some able to fly over 100 miles in a single day. Dragonflies are accompanied in the air space and near water by their close relatives, called damselflies. The two groups have many similarities, such as elongated bodies and membranous wings. Damselflies are smaller and more delicate-looking than dragonflies, and when damselflies rest, they hold their wings straight up and together above the body. Dragonflies, on the other hand, rest with their wings held horizontally.

Dragonflies have a long evolutionary history, and have remained mostly unchanged for over 250 million years. Records indicate they evolved long before the time of the dinosaurs and may have been the first insects and even the first animals to fly. They are known for their exceptional flight capabilities, flying at speeds up to 34 miles per hour. They can hover in mid-air, fly right, left, up, down, forward, or backward. While the largest dragonflies existing today are about 3 inches in length with wingspans of up to 7 inches, some early dragonflies had a wingspread of 27 inches. The head of a dragonfly appears to be one large eye, which is actually comprised of thousands of receptors, allowing them to have an almost 360-degree field of vision. This amazing vision allows them to detect movement, making them excellent predators with a hunting success rate of 97%. One of their most redeeming qualities is their ability to consume up to 100 mosquitos or more per day.

Dragonflies and damselflies do no harm to people, pets, crops, landscape plants, or houses. Dragonflies also enjoy sunny areas for perching and hunting, and a diversity of plants to
support insect prey. If you have a garden with a variety of flowers, shrubs, and other vegetation, this can further increase your chances of spotting them. You might also notice them in open meadows as they search for food.

Where did dragonflies get their name? It likely stems from the legend of St. George and the dragon, a popular folk tale about a knight who slays a dragon to save a princess and a city. St. George, a knight known for his bravery, arrives in the city of Silent and confronts and defeats the creature. The devils gets angry and transforms St. George’s beautiful horse into a large insect-like creature with big eyes, similar to the dragonfly!

Dragonflies hold many diverse meanings across ancient cultures, often representing transformation and adaptability. Native Americans often see dragonflies as symbols of change and swiftness. Dragonflies are the national symbol of Japan and represent courage, strength, and victory. In Celtic folklore, they are linked to the fairy realm and are seen as messengers from the spirit world. In various other cultures, they are associated with good luck and prosperity.

Dragonfly populations are declining worldwide due to habitat loss, urbanization, pollution, and climate change. Dragonflies play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and their conservation is vital:

• They are voracious predators of mosquitoes, flies, and gnats.
• They help to control the population of these nuisance insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting a more balance ecosystem.
• They are bioindicators of environmental health; their presence or absence can indicate the health of wetlands, ponds, and other aquatic environments.
• Dragonflies are an important link in the food chain. Nymphs are a food source for fish and other aquatic animals, and adult dragonflies are prey for birds, bats, and other animals.
• Dragonflies impressive flight capabilities and unique life cycle have long fascinated researchers. Studying their biology and behavior can lead to advancements in areas like drone technology and artificial visual systems.

Who would have imagined that this tiny insect clinging to my porch screen could be so important to our world? I guess sometimes what we don’t know can hurt us!

“The Dragonfly’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the beauty of strength.”……Anonymous

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of four books: The West End Kid, Labor of Love: My Personal Journey through the World of Caregiving,
Hotel Blackhawk: A Century of Elegance, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church: 150 Years of Resiliency.