Table of Contents
Are there dragonflies in Virginia?
In Virginia, dragonflies and damselflies may be observed from April through November. Dragonflies and damselflies are most often seen in flight on warm sunny days near a body of fresh water, although there are a few species adapted to brackish water. Dragonflies often patrol a well defended territory.
What are the most common dragonflies?
The globe skimmer Pantala flavescens is probably the most widespread dragonfly species in the world; it is cosmopolitan, occurring on all continents in the warmer regions. Most Anisoptera species are tropical, with far fewer species in temperate regions.
Why are there so many dragonflies in Virginia?
The dragonflies also showed up on radars in Virginia. It is common for dragonflies, especially green darner dragonflies, to migrate south in the fall to find warmer weather, but the swarms are unusual.
What does it mean when you have a lot of dragonflies in your yard?
If you have a pond or stream near your land, or if recent rains have left flooded areas, this may draw dragonflies to your yard. They breed in water and feed on insects found near water, such as mosquitoes. Homeowners interested in attracting dragonflies often install small ponds in their yards for this purpose.
How do I identify a dragonfly?
Dragonflies have a head, thorax and abdomen. The wings are attached to the top of the thorax and the legs to the bottom, so it can be seen that the thorax is tilted backwards. Thus the part between the head and the wing bases is the front. An insect thorax has three parts, each with a pair of legs.
Why are there more dragonflies this year?
According to wildlife enthusiast Phyllis Carlson, the increased dragonfly activity is probably a result of the abundant rain this summer, which has helped to produce more of the dragonfly’s insect prey, such as mosquitoes.
How many dragonfly varieties are there?
There are approximately 5000 species of dragonflies.
What type of dragonfly is black?
Darner Dragonfly They have a striking black body with distinct blue spots. They can commonly be found in the United States, typically around water bodies like lakes, ponds and streams.