Well you should!......that is if you can catch one! They have two sets of wings that are transparent and can take the critter six different directions! There are 225 species of these odonates in Texas alone. A lot of folks have the hobby of oding. They have six legs but do not walk very well. They hold their wings away from the body as they rest. ( O, I meant to tell you, I am talking about Dragonflies and Damselflies.)
Why should I embrace these insects called "devil's darning needle" and "ear cutter", among some Europeans? The Norwegian name for them is "eye poker". In Portugal they are "eye snatcher". In Southern United States the term snake doctor comes from a folk belief the dragonfly followed snakes around and stitched them back together when they were injured.In Japan, however, they are seen as symbols of courage, strength and happiness.
Why should we embrace these strange-looking insects that are everywhere this year? They are our much-needed friends, eating at the swarms of mosquitoes infesting many places after all the rains. They also eat flies, bees, ants, and butterflies.
As I went for my walk this morning down to the bay and back, I had a dragonfly suspend right in front of me for several minutes. I had NO mosquitoes bother me during that time. He left and in moments I had one of the pesty critters after me. Was the dragonfly clearing my path? I would like to think so.
Most of the dragonfly's life is as a nymph. They are born in the water and have extendable jaws to catch mosquito larvae. (Also tadpoles and fish). Their larvae stage may be as long as FIVE YEARS. When they decide to really become a dragonfly they crawl up on a reed and the exposure to air starts them to breathe. The skin splits and they leave the larval skin, pump their wings, and go off flying in six different directions!
What a creature!!! Wonder who thought of that? You know Who! The One who made the intricate workings of your mind and body, then implanted into you a living soul!
Have you hugged an anisoptera today?
(This brainy information comes through the courtesy of Wikipedia. I didn't even know they eat mosquitoes.)
