Bugs on My Mind: Embracing Dragonflies in Our Gardens
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about bugs after spending time at the beach and in the mountains with their abundance of mosquitoes and gnats. It feels like even the Coachella Valley has seen an increase in the past few years. Those new ankle-biting mosquitoes have even invaded us here in the desert!
One evening, while sitting at camp and scrolling through social media, I came across a video of a woman who had fashioned a headband with a fake dragonfly bobbing above her head. At that moment, I was busy scratching mosquito bites on my legs. The idea behind the headband is that bugs would recognize the dragonfly as a predator and stay away. She swore it worked. So, if you see me with a dragonfly sticking out of my ponytail, you’ll know why!
This got me thinking about dragonflies and their crucial role in our ecosystem.
The Benefits of Dragonflies in Your Garden
Natural Pest Control: Dragonflies (scientific name Anisoptera) are incredibly fierce predators, feeding on various pests like mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. As one of the first insects to inhabit the planet around 300 million years ago, they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their hunting abilities. Dragonflies intercept prey midair by judging the speed and trajectory of their target, adjusting their flight to ensure a successful catch. With up to a 97% success rate, they’re among the most skilled hunters in the insect world.
Belonging to the order Odonata, meaning "toothed ones," dragonflies have serrated mandibles. When hunting, they catch their prey with their feet and tear off the wings with their sharp jaws to prevent escape, devouring their prey—all without needing to land.
Dragonflies have nearly 360-degree vision, with just one blind spot directly behind them. This extraordinary vision allows them to track a single insect within a swarm and go after it while avoiding midair collisions with other insects.
According to Jim Cornett in a Desert Sun article, there are approximately twelve dragonfly species in the Coachella Valley. Estimating how many mosquitoes dragonflies eat each year in our area is difficult, but it’s safe to say the number is in the tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands. Immature dragonflies, known as nymphs, live and develop underwater, where they also feast on mosquito larvae. Considering mosquitoes are notorious for carrying serious diseases like the Zika virus, we can thank dragonflies for potentially protecting a significant number of people.
Pollination Assistance: While dragonflies aren’t as efficient as bees, moths, or butterflies at pollination, they still contribute to the process as they move between flowers.
The Life Cycle of Dragonflies
Much like butterflies, dragonflies undergo a remarkable metamorphosis as they transition from egg to adult insect. Their average lifespan in the wild is up to 6.5 years, with the majority spent in the nymphal stage. Their life cycle can be broken down into four distinct phases:
Egg Stage: Dragonflies start their life as eggs laid on or near water bodies. Adult females lay their eggs on plants, rocks, or other submerged surfaces. The duration of this stage varies depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Larva (Nymph) Stage: Once the eggs hatch, dragonfly larvae, often called nymphs, live primarily in water. They are voracious predators, feeding on small aquatic insects, tadpoles, and even small fish. The nymph stage can last from several months to several years, depending on the species.
Pupa Stage: As the nymph nears adulthood, it undergoes a remarkable transformation inside a pupa. During this phase, the dragonfly metamorphoses into its adult form.
Adult Stage: Once the transformation is complete, the adult dragonfly emerges from the pupal case with its wings still soft. Once the wings harden, the dragonfly takes to the skies.
How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden
Water Features: Dragonflies are aquatic insects. Installing a pond or a small water garden can attract dragonflies to lay their eggs. Be sure to incorporate a variety of plants both in and around the water, providing ideal habitats for the dragonfly larvae.
Plant Native Species: Dragonflies are attracted to native plants. I frequently spot them on my native milkweed, Asclepias subulata.
Sunlight and Warmth: Dragonflies are cold-blooded creatures that rely on the sun to regulate their body temperature. Ensure that your garden has sunny spots where dragonflies can bask and warm themselves.
Avoid Pesticides: Dragonflies are natural predators, and the use of pesticides can harm them directly or indirectly by reducing their prey population.
Reduce Light Pollution: Dragonflies are often drawn to bright lights at night, which can disrupt their natural behavior and lead to exhaustion. Minimize outdoor lighting, especially near your water feature, to avoid attracting dragonflies away from their natural habitats.
