Background 

Fun Fact !

• Dragonflies are dated back to Carboniferous age, which was around 300 million years ago - long before even dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

Common species in Chicago

• There are many different species of dragonflies in Chicago, the most commonly found species around this area are Green Darners, Eastern Amberwings, Common Whitetails, and Blue Dashers.

Diet

• Dragonflies eat other insects such as flies, midges and mosquitoes and butterflies.  

• Dragonflies are carnivorous, often preying on smaller dragonflies. 

• Prey is normally caught in mid-air, with the dragonfly using its long legs to catch its quarry. The food will then be carried to a perch where it is eaten.

Hunting techniques

• Dragonflies use a higher resolution area near the top of their eyes to hunt prey from below.

• Dragonflies tend to hunt in an open area, using the contrast of the sky to help them spot their target.

• Dragonflies have over a 95% success rate when it comes to catching their prey-making them one of the best hunters in the animal kingdom. 

• Dragonflies are the strongest flyers in the insect world, their maximum speeds can reach between 22 and 34 miles per hour with the Green Darner being the fastest in Illinois.

  • Blue dasher: Blue dashers typically perch on vegetation, often near water, and wait for prey to come within striking distance. Once the prey is within a reasonable distance the dragonfly will launch itself at the insect to capture it in mid-air. They use their spiky legs to grab and secure their prey and will return to their perch to consume it. 

  • Twelve Spotted Skimmer: Similar to most dragonflies, Twelve spotted Skimmer's don't simply chase after their prey. Studies have suggested these skimmers predict their prey's flight pattern and adjust their own to catch it. Easily allowing them to ambush prey from below or behind. 

  • Common green darner: Green darners have excellent vision and can fly extremely fast, making their main hunting technique hawking. Hawking is when they patrol an area in the sky, searching for prey to catch mid-air.

  • Common Whitetail: Common Whitetails use a combination of perching/launching and hawking to catch their prey.

  • Eastern Pondhawk: Pondhawks not only look extremely similar to Blue Dasher's but they also have a similar hunting style. Pondhawks will typically perch on low vegetation or even the ground, and launch themselves at their prey. They then return to their perch to consume their meal.

  • Eastern Amberwing: Amberwings - although small in size comparison - have excellent vision. Similar to Green Darner's hawking is a common hunting tactic they will use, due to their near 360 degree field of vision.