Dragonflies seem to be abundant this year. May have something to due with the excessive rain we have had this Spring. I do live near freshwater ponds and the Peconic river is nearby, so I am lucky to beable to enjoy all the visiting Dragons.
They spend the first two or more years underwater in ponds and marshes as nymphs, preying on mosquito larvae and other organisms.
The adult stage when they transform into a double wing Dragonfly to mate and lay eggs, only lasts weeks to months.
They are good to have around because as flying adults they primarily eat mosquitoes and flies.
Closely related damselflies look similar to the Dragons but are smaller and delicate looking. The damselflies fold their wings along their body whereas the Dragonflies hold their wings straight out to the sides when they land.
