Is a dragonfly an insect?

Dragonfly, also known as Ding Ding, grasshopper, negative labor, etc., is the general name of the family of dragonflies and flies, including the familiar dragonflies, damselflies, etc., which can fly in the air to catch pests. Its larvae are called juveniles, completely aquatic, completely different in shape and habit from adults, and different species of juveniles have great morphological differences. Let's take a look at whether dragonflies are insects or not!

Is dragonfly an insect?

Dragonflies are insects. Dragonfly is a generic term for insects of the family Odonata and Sphenidae. It belongs to incomplete metamorphosis insects. The larvae live in water. They breathe with rectal trachea gills in the water and prey with extremely developed face cover. Generally, they need to molt more than 11 times. It takes 2 years or more to climb out of the water along the aquatic plants. Finally, they molt and emerge as adults.

Are dragonflies beneficial insects?

Dragonfly larvae can prey on larvae or other small animals in the water, and sometimes cannibalism. Adults generally fly in ponds or rivers to prey on flying insects. In addition to a large number of predatory mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects, some can also prey on butterflies, moths, bees. Both adults and larvae are carnivorous and eat more pests, which are beneficial insects.

How long do dragonflies live?

Dragonfly larvae spend at least one year in the water, and the time required for the whole larval stage varies according to different species and seasons, ranging from one month to three or four years. Longer ones take seven or eight years to emerge as adults. Adult dragonflies live only one-tenth as long as larvae, only one to eight months, but dragonflies are still considered long-lived insects.