Page 28 - Dainfern Precinct Living 4 2021

NATURE

Broad Scarlet male

DRAGONFLIES AND

DAMSELFLIES

TEXT BY ANTHONY CAVANAGH, PHOTOS BY ANTHONY AND SUE CAVANAGH

here are 164 known species of
dragonfly and damselfly in South
TAfrica with the largest measuring
some 100mm in length and having
a wingspan of around 115mm. Most
species are, however, very much smaller.
Damselflies are much more slender in
build and their eyes are widely spaced on
their heads. Their wings close against their
abdomen when they settle. Dragonflies
by contrast are more robustly built. They
hold their wings at right angles to the
body when they settle and their eyes join
together at the top of their heads.

These insects are often brightly coloured
and various hues of blue, red, green,
yellow and brown dominate. Both
species are predatory and many hunt on
the wing catching small flying insects.
Some species are able to fly forwards,
backwards and straight up and down
while some of the larger species are
capable of bursts of speed up to 35km
per hour. Other species are ambush
hunters and lie in wait for their prey.
Dragonflies snatch their victims encasing Masai sprite male
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DPL
DPL
DPL
DPL