Jewels of the pond; Dragonflies

By: Michael Picagli

Dragonflies are one of the most dazzling creatures you could ever gaze upon. They fascinate your eyes as they glimmer past like shimmering jewels. Evoking a fairytale like feeling as you watch these living gems take flight, and perch on nearby rushes. The feeling may intensify once you know; that these creatures are ancient. Remaining primarily unchanged throughout time from prehistory. Much like the crocodile, and dinosaur like snapping turtle. Their history is long, and the myths and tales surrounding them transcend continents and cultures.

You may ask yourself, how can I get these wonderful creatures to visit my yard? Well, lucky for you, if you have a pond. They will almost immediately seek you out themselves. However not all varieties may readily find your pond, though you are sure to get a few surprises as your pond matures. Buy you don't need a pond to attract dragonflies, but you will need water.
But is that it? Just build it and they will come? Yes and no. Dragonflies like all living creatures need things. It's the process of providing what they need which will attract them to your setting. Constructing a pond is the best answer, but sometimes you may not want a pond. And getting them to come to your terrestrial garden is a bit of a challenge, but can be done. You will undoubtably need some type of water feature. A pondless waterfall in the right area would work, or even a fountain. But to keep them there, you'll need something that holds water at the least.
Since dragonflies are a wetland species of aquatic insect. They live most of their lives underwater as nymphs. Swimming around in ponds and lakes eating mosquito larvae, small fish, and other aquatic insects.
Dragonfly nymphs look nothing like the jewels they become once they emerge from the water. After some time, in many cases, years. The dragonfly nymph crawls out of it's watery home and seeks a spot to emerge. Attaching itself to a branch, protruding plant stem, or tree. Once there, they begin to change, metamorph, much like a butterfly. But instead of a broad winged, carefree flying nectar feeding beauty. The creature that breaks free from it's exoskeletonized shell is a rather sharp winged, long bodied, precise flying insectivore. Feeding mainly on flying insects, predominantly mosquito, may fly, and caddis fly.

This deft insect is an ariel wonder. Able to fly backwards, hover steady in mid air for as long as a full minute, then observe and dart off to capture it's prey. Dragonflies are not only able fliers, but have paramount vision. 80% of their brain is said to be used for processing visual information. Their enormous compound eyes allow them to see prey at long distances. Normally viewing, while perched atop a high place such as a stout reed before launching themselves like arrows to hit their target. Incredibly dept at visual track and catch hunting, dragonflies are a wonderment visually, historically, and ecologically.

Knowing this, we can now plan a habitat for them to patrol. As mentioned before. You need not have a full pond to enjoy dragonflies, but standing water is a must even if temporary. It can be a small pool, wetland garden with moderate to temporary water, or a fountain that allows water to sit periodically.
Dragonflies also need to eat, and will do so if mosquitoes or other airborne insects are around. The environment you provide should be an environment that the dragonflies prey use. Perhaps however your water hole is lacking in mosquito due to vector or mechanical control. Because we all loath that pesky blood sucker it's easy to forget that it is a major food source for many creatures. In the case that mosquitoes are not present due to any number of reasons. We then turn to gardening to provide food for our bedazzled friends.

Many plants have been created to use insects for their various purposes. Whether it be pollination, seed dispersal on rare occasions, or using the insect for food itself. Many plants will attract insects that dragonflies will readily consume. One such plant is the Skunk Cabbage. A common site here in Long Island marshes. The Skunk Cabbage produces a foul stench to attract insects; mainly fly varieties to enter it's spathe and spadix to coerce them to pollinate the plant. Butterfly bush is another plant which is good at attracting insects that the dragonfly will deem fit for food. While this may sound logical, some plants are better suited to the job then others, some are just down right terrible and invasive for your garden. We encourage you to find your own variety of plants that work with your particular garden and pond. But to help you on your way, Yarrow is an excellent and native choice.

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