What does the Eastern Pondhawk eat?
Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis) are dragonflies that perch when they hunt, usually on low foliage or on the ground. Dragonflies are carnivores. They eat other insects ranging in size from tiny mosquitoes to dragonflies their own size, or for some dragonfly species, even larger.
Where do eastern Pondhawks live?
Notes from the field – Eastern Pondhawk: This species is a habitat generalist, found along the vegetated shorelines of ponds, lakes, rivers, sunny streams, marshes and even pathway puddles. The female especially is quite a wanderer, often found far from water – look for her in meadows, brushy fields and forest edges.
Is the eastern pondhawk native to florida?
It’s found in all of Florida’s 67 counties and as far north as southern Ontario. It’s native range includes the eastern two-thirds of the United States into the Southwest, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
What is a dragonflies role in the ecosystem?
Dragonflies are important to their environments both as predators (particularly of mosquitos) and as prey to birds and fish. Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem.
Are dragonflies blue?
The blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is the only species in the genus Pachydiplax. It is very common and widely distributed through North America and into the Bahamas….
| Blue dasher | |
|---|---|
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Pachydiplax Brauer, 1868 |
| Species: | P. longipennis |
| Binomial name |
What makes a dragonfly unique?
1 ) Dragonflies were some of the first winged insects to evolve, some 300 million years ago. 6 ) Dragonflies are expert fliers. They can fly straight up and down, hover like a helicopter and even mate mid-air. If they can’t fly, they’ll starve because they only eat prey they catch while flying.
How are dragonflies helpful to humans?
Dragonflies have been around the block. “Dragonflies are predators in the insect world and feed on many small-to-medium-sized bugs, eating things like mosquitoes, flies, moths and midges. Dragonflies eat their own weight, or even more, in harmful insects on a daily basis.”
What is the rarest color of dragonfly?
Pink dragonflies are rare – most dragonflies that are close to pink appear more red or reddish-brown in color. Out of the 400+ species found in the US, less than a dozen project a true pink color.
How does an eastern pondhawk dragonfly fly?
Two males often fly across the water’s surface, one following the other just inches apart. Periodically, the lead dragonfly will fall back and allow the other male to take the lead. Female eastern pondhawk dragonfly. Note the difference between the male at the top of the page and this female.
What kind of predator is the eastern pondhawk?
The eastern pondhawk is an athletic, swift-flying predator, able to catch damselflies and other insect prey on the wing. In between hunts it rests on vegetation, ready to take to the air if prey comes within sight. When newly emerged, the dragonflies at first hunt away from water.
What’s the difference between a male and female pondhawk dragonfly?
Periodically, the lead dragonfly will fall back and allow the other male to take the lead. Female eastern pondhawk dragonfly. Note the difference between the male at the top of the page and this female. Key ID Features: Adult males are powder-blue over entire abdomen and thorax. Females are spectacularly green with black markings on abdomen.
How does a dragonfly live in the water?
Dragonflies are ancient insects which are surviving from more than 300 million years. Dragonflies live in the water but as nymphs. A dragonfly nymph breathes through its anus. There are up to 90% of young dragonfly adults get eaten. Dragonflies have excellent vision. Male dragonflies exhibit aggression toward other males.
