Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the class Odonata, which is an ancient group of animals that left fossils 300 million years ago of individuals with wingspans of 2-3 feet! Present day representatives are much smaller, with the largest in the Pocasset Lake area having maximum wingspans of about 6 inches (e.g., the Common Green Darner and the Dragonhunter). Generally dragonflies are large, fly very fast, and hold their wings out straight when they perch, while damselflies tend to be small, have a fluttering-type flight, and fold their wings when they land. While these animals have intriguing common names like the Harlequin Darner, the Unicorn Clubtail, the Stygian Shadowdragon, and the Ebony Boghaunter, they also have tongue-twisting scientific names like Gomphaeschna furcillata, Arigomphus villosipes, Neurocordulia yamaskanensis, and Williamsonia fletcheri.

Dragonflies and damselflies have a complex life cycle with much of their life (one month to five years depending on the species) spent below the water as an aquatic nymph or larva. Their final metamophosis occurs late in the life of the animal when they emerge as reproductive adults in their final spring or summer to feed, mate, lay their eggs, and ultimately die. As nymphs, they provide an important food source for fish and other aquatic animals; as adults, they are preyed upon by birds, fish, and frogs. The species of dragonflies or damselflies that may be observed changes with the passing of summer; some species are seen only early in the summer (e.g. Stream Cruisers), while others appear later and fly until late September or early October (e.g., many types of ‘Darners’).

Contrary to popular myth, dragonflies do not sting, they rarely bite unless they are trapped in hand (and then only in defense - we have handled hundreds without mishap), and they don’t sew together the lips of children who tell fibs (thanks for that pleasant image Gram)! In July and August, mid-sized greenish dragonflies (Gomphids) will frequently land on swimmers or boaters - but they are using people only as perches and have no interest in biting (it’s actually a great opportunity to have a close inspection of these amazing aerial acrobats). Dragonflies are extraordinarily agile fliers; they can hover, fly backwards or sideways, they can attain forward airspeeds of 35 mph, and they are voracious predators of gnats, mosquitos, deerflies, and a number of other insects that people classify as pests. So a yard full of dragonflies and damselflies should be viewed in a very positive light! Since many of these species favor areas of emergent vegetation, allowing this vegetation to grow naturally along the shoreline enhances the habitat for these important insects (not to mention ensuring compliance with state regulations requiring a special permit for the removal of native vegetation).