A Dragonfly Encounter at the Meydan, Dubai

Like a helicopter on top of a hill - a dragonfly gets ready for take off

Soaring rapidly and confidently on top of the water surface - Paragomphus spp.

In flight and on the hunt, a dragonfly flies above the water

Notice the tiny ripples on the water surface as the dragonfly flies by

A turbo-charged chase above the water surface  

Whenever I see dragonflies, it is like watching helicopter gunships darting into the sky en route to their target zones. You can see and feel the speed, the power and the agility of these flying insect hunters! It was truly an awesome challenge and opportunity to photograph these insects mid-air and above the water surface at the Meydan.

Dragonflies, (ODONATA-ANISOPTERA) 

Dragonflies are predaceous, strong flying insects characterized by their elongated bodies, a pair of large, multi-lenses eyes (these eyes occupy the majority of the space of the head) and two pairs of strong transparent wings. These wings are positioned horizontally both when in flight and when at rest.  

The term ODONATA (toothed-ones) refer to the very strong serrated mandibles that they possessed. They can rip apart insect prey with the used of these awesomely strong mouth parts!

Adult males have thinner abdomen with a narrow waist at the top, it bears an accessory genitalia for copulation located at segment 2 of its abdomen. The females have thicker abdomen which bear a distinct egg ovipositor located at segment 8-9. 

Distribution of Dragonflies

Dragonflies are found world-wide. Associated with fresh aquatic environments like lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wadis. There are over 6000 species of dragonflies currently reported. Here in the UAE, 27 species have been recorded. Half of these species are locally breeding but the rest are migratory, passing through as they wander over the vast distances in search for food, mate and a suitable water habitat.

Biodynamics Notes

Dragonflies are amphibiotic species (inhabits all kind of fresh water habitats). Eggs are laid near the water habitat and hatches into a predatory larvae (NAIAD) which spends almost 2-6 years of development under water. Depending on the species and conditions they can molt up to 17 times! These naiads are ferocious predators and hunt underwater for insect larvae, tadpoles and even small fish. The naiads will leave there underwater home and emerge as terrestrial adults. 

The newly emerged dragonflies (tenerals) are paler in color. Sexually mature dragonflies are more brighter and colorful. In some species, the over mature turned darker in color. 

The adult dragonflies are ferocious aerial hunters. They can capture prey in mid-air. They conduct calculated aerial raids against mosquitoes, gnats and other small insects. They grab there prey with there powerful, spines laden legs.  These hunts are so quick, efficient and effective that the success rate was recorded to reach as high as 95%  (now that is what you call a TOP PREDATOR)!

Dragonflies are not harmful to humans. They might look a little scary because of their large eyes, freaky mandibles and camouflaged stream-lined body but these predators are actually beneficial insects. They will not attack humans and their mandibles cannot penetrate human skin.

A dragonfly can hunt and consumed hundreds of mosquitoes a day! They are also referred to as "mosquito-hawks". Thus, helping us biologically in reducing the pest population! 

Dragonflies are also what naturalists call "bio-indicator species", there prevalence or absence in a fresh water environment reveals the level of "water purity and pollution". 

Truly awesome dragonflies! So let's protect these beneficial insects! 

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!