What Do Dragonflies Eat?

[StuartDH]

Here's our new page on what dragonflies eat - if you got any more info that we can add to the page, please post it here

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/wi...ragonflies_eat

Thanks

Stuart

[Fourwings]

Stuart - the basic answer to the question is other insects, they prey mainly on the smaller flies, gnats, midges etc... but I have quite often seen the larger Hawkers & Emperors take Butterflies & Damselflies & eat them whilst still flying, it is also worth noting that the larger species of Dragonfly such as Golden Ringed, Emperor, Brown Hawker etc... are cannibalistic and will readily eat smaller Dragonflies such as Darters if they can catch them, this is not common, but I have seen it a few times.

The most fascinating Dragonfly feeding behaviour that I have ever seen took place last Summer, I was sitting by a lake watching Black-Tailed Skimmers when I noticed that a few of the males seemed to be actually touching the waters surface in much the same way as Swallows do when they drink, on closer inspection through binoculars these Dragonflies were actually taking Pond skaters Gerris lacustris from the surface film, hitting them with perfect prescision every time.

[Helen]

I see you've passed over to the darkside, Fourwings

PS - Great post, I had no idea what they fed on either!

[pxl8]

I've got a photo somewhere of a common darter eating a hoverfly - the abdomen of which is clearly visible sticking out of the dragons mouth.

I'll dig it out and upload it.

[henrya]

A few years ago, a colleague and I were chatting in my office at the end of the day when the caretaker rushed up and told us to come round the back of the building where there were "thousands of dragonflies". We looked at each other and both thought "there'll be one or two" but when we went round we discovered, if not thousands, then certainly hundreds. They were feeding on a swarm of flying ants that were emerging from somewhere at the base of the building, climbing up the wall and launching themselves from the top of the wall. The dragonflies were catching and eating the ants in flight - you could hear the munching sounds quite clearly! We watched for several minutes - it wasn't really possible to get an accurate count of the number of dragonflies as the movements were so swift and continuous.

henrya

[StuartDH]

Thanks guys, I've added the info and anecdotes to the page. If anyone else has more details that we can add to the 'What do dragonflies eat?' page, then please post it here.

Cheers

Stuart

[henrya]

Stuart,

Information on dragonflies is spread between 'Encyclopaedia', 'Resources' and 'Facts and Figures'. No doubt there is a good reason for that, but it's a bit confusing - any chance these pages could be linked togther? I expect it applies to other groups of things.

henrya

[StuartDH]

We're currently putting together the link module that connects all the various areas of the site with menu blocks on the side of the screen - similar to this basic one on the right-hand side of the Bird encyclopedia pages.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/wi...s/canada_goose

We're also looking to add dynamic links within the text that will enable quicker navigation between the various areas of the site.

The reference section is built around a Content Management System, but like most CMSs under £0.5m it doesn't have a particularly good directory, calendar, forum or Gallery built-in. As a result, we've had to use seperate systems for each of these areas of the site and then try to piece the whole lot together again around the base CMS.

It's a big job, but at least we won't have to spend £0.5m

[nightshade]

I have watched whilst fishing a dragonfly decimate a wasp nest then go afterthe maggots in my bait box

[pxl8]

I've just uploaded a couple of shots of a Common Darter munching on a hoverfly which I hope will help with this topic.