insect belonging order greek uneven wing broader adult characterized large eyes pairs strong transparent wings coloured patches elongated body mistaken related group similar structure usually lighter build wings held flat away body hold wings folded rest abdomen weaker flight brilliant metallic colours produced structural coloration making conspicuous flight adult eye nearly fossils large ancestors found million years ago rocks species world today tropical fewer species temperate regions predators aquatic stage known adults years lives spent living fresh water adults wing days weeks fast migrating oceans found near water uniquely complex mode reproduction involving indirect delayed sperm competition mating male female head female abdomen body pick sperm male secondary abdomen forming heart wheel posture loss wetland habitat threatens populations world represented human culture artifacts pottery rock paintings jewellery traditional medicine japan china caught food indonesia symbols courage strength happiness japan seen sinister european folklore bright colours flight admired poetry alfred lord prose phylogeny relatives ancient group oldest fossils upper europe group included largest insect lived early wingspan fossil record ends extinction event ancestral group lacks certain wing vein characters found modern lived early late age end event known fossil wings current day united_states russia australia suggesting cosmopolitan distribution modern included clade called include basal true today species extant world relationships families fully resolved families sister taxon sister sister clade includes lines indicate unresolved relationships english names given distribution diversity species known classified genera families distribution diversity regions summarised world numbers ordinary totals overlaps species occur found continent antarctica contrast tend restricted genera species found continents example blue eyed found north_america central_america emperors found americas far north newfoundland far south argentina europe central asia north_africa middle_east globe probably widespread species world cosmopolitan occurring continents warmer regions species tropical far fewer species temperate regions including found desert pools example active shade temperatures insects able survive body temperatures thermal death point insects species found cooler places found sea level mountains decreasing species diversity altitude limit represented species scarce higher latitudes native iceland individuals occasionally swept strong winds including native north_africa unidentified species species including found possibly low temperature lakes found northern alaska making northerly general description heavy bodied strong flying insects hold wings horizontally flight rest contrast slender bodies fly weakly species fold wings abdomen stationary eyes separated sides head adult distinct segments head abdomen insects hard plates held flexible membranes head large short antennae dominated compound eyes cover surface compound eyes numbers greater larger species varying sizes large facing downward tend smaller size provide complete vision frontal hemisphere compound eyes meet head genus simple eyes adapted biting toothed jaw like mouth shot rapidly forward catch prey head system locking place consists muscles small hairs head grip structures segment system unique activated feeding tandem flight consists segments insects small flattened shield like disc transverse ridges fused rigid box like structure internal provides robust attachment powerful wing muscles inside bears pairs wings pairs legs wings long narrower tip wider base broader different base veins carry pumped time emergence stage expand wings leading edge wing veins join marginal vein wing able point large species wings females shorter broader males legs walking catch hold prey climbing plants short basal joints long joints foot armed pair claws long leg joints bear rows spines males row spines leg modified form cleaning surface compound eye abdomen long slender consists segments terminal bearing segment second segments enlarged males underside second segment contains pair open 9th segment females opening underside eighth segment covered simple depending species method egg laying vary form species loosely classed known relatively inactive stage quickly active form general body plan similar adult lacks wings reproductive organs lower jaw huge armed hooks spines catching prey folded body rest struck great speed hydraulic pressure created abdominal muscles external gills internal gills located fourth fifth abdominal segments water pumped abdomen opening tip sediment like tube end abdomen enabling draw clean water buried mud expel jet water propel great coloration adult brilliant metallic colours produced structural coloration making conspicuous flight overall coloration combination yellow red brown black structural colours blues typically created cuticle reflect blue light combine structural blue yellow pigment emerged adults known pale coloured obtain typical colours days bodies covered pale blue called wears mating leaving darker areas green blue produced structurally tiny spheres cells underneath cuticle wings generally clear apart dark veins genera areas colour wings example brown bands wings bright orange patches wing bases brown translucent pale yellow wings usually blend dull brown green grey biology ecology predatory aquatic adult stages feed range freshwater invertebrates larger ones prey small fish adults capture insect prey air making use acute vision highly controlled flight mating system complex insect groups system indirect sperm transfer sperm storage delayed sperm competition adult males vigorously defend territories near water areas provide suitable habitat larvae develop females lay eggs feeding adults aggregate prey prey emerging flying ants group occupy considerable variety habitats species families specific environmental requirements species prefer flowing waters prefer standing water example live running water live water species found temporary water pools capable changes water level resulting variations temperature genera eggs larvae resist drought stimulated grow rapidly warm shallow pools absence predators vegetation characteristics including submerged floating important adults require plants use need specific submerged floating plants lay eggs requirements highly specific green lives swamps water soldier chemistry water including status degree nutrients affect use species need moderate conditions acid species black spotted prefer acidic waters scarce need slow moving waters similar plants behaviour particularly males territorial defend territory species species insects unrelated groups particular perch good view insect rich feeding ground blue maintain right defending breeding territory fairly common male especially species ponds large numbers territory contains desirable features stretch shallow water special plant species particular substrate necessary egg laying territory small large depending quality time day number competitors held minutes hours signal ownership striking colours face abdomen legs wings common holding white abdomen aloft like flag engage aerial high speed chases female mate territory holder laying eggs reproduction mating complex precisely choreographed process male attract female territory continually driving rival males ready mate transfers sperm primary opening segment near end abdomen secondary segments near base abdomen male female head end abdomen structure varies species help prevent mating pair flies tandem male typically plant stem female abdomen downwards forwards body pick sperm male secondary male uses tail grip female head distinctive posture called heart wheel pair described cop egg laying involves female floating vegetation deposit eggs suitable substrate male continuing flying tandem male attempts prevent rivals removing sperm possible delayed driven sexual selection successful rival male uses sperm inserted previously activity takes time pair remains heart posture flying tandem advantage effort needed female flight expended egg laying female deposit eggs male help pull water egg laying takes different forms depending species female families sharp edged slits open stem leaf plant near water push eggs inside families cruisers female lays eggs tapping surface water repeatedly abdomen shaking eggs abdomen flies placing eggs vegetation species eggs laid plants water development delayed immersed life cycle insects stage undergo incomplete series stages adult emerges eggs laid inside plant tissues usually shaped like grains rice eggs size nearly spherical clutch eggs week hatch aquatic times depending species grow life spent beneath water surface extends toothed catch animals larvae small fish breathe gills rapidly propel suddenly water later stages hunt land stage lasts years large species months years smaller species ready adult stops feeding makes way surface generally night remains stationary head water system breathing air climbs reed plant firmly vertical position claws skin begins split weak spot head adult skin backwards tip abdomen free allow upwards completes emergence air body pumping wings causes expand extent temperate areas categorized groups early group later area individuals particular spring species emerge days example suddenly common spring disappeared weeks later seen following year contrast summer species emerges period weeks months later year seen wing months represent series individuals new adults hatching earlier ones complete short sex sex ratio male female varies adult high male biased ratio breeding habitats male bias ratio contributed partially females different habitats avoid male harassment seen male populations use wetland habitats females use dry meadows marginal breeding habitats migrating wetlands lay eggs find mating partners unwanted mating costly females affects time able spend foraging flight powerful capable migrating oceans moving direction changing direction suddenly flight adult propel directions upward downward forward left right different styles flight number flying modes include counter beating phase slow flight style efficient generates large lift phased beating ahead fast flight style creates thrust lift counter beating changing direction rapidly thrust wings held situations free seconds bursts powered flight crest hill effectively falling speed certain cop male female simply male pulls pair beating wings wings powered directly flight muscles attached wing bases high power weight ratio documented accelerating sharp turns pursuing prey generate lift ways different times including classical lift like aircraft wing lift wing critical angle generating high lift short strokes avoid creating vortex families appear use special mechanisms example rapidly wings beginning pointed far forward twisted vertically wings behave highly flight twisting beat wing length speed stroke angle attack forward position wing phase relative wings flight speed old unreliable claims southern giant fly miles hour greatest reliable flight speed records types insects general large like maximum speed metres second mph average cruising speed metres second mph fly body lengths second lengths second backwards motion camouflage high speed territorial battles male australian emperors fighting adjust flight paths appear stationary rivals chance detected approach achieve effect attacking flies rival choosing path remain line rival start attack path attacker larger closes rival appear researchers found encounters involved motion camouflage temperature control flight muscles need kept suitable temperature able fly cold raise temperature sun early morning choose perch vertical position wings middle day horizontal stance chosen method warming larger wing rapid vibration wings causes heat generated flight muscles green known long distance resorts wing dawn enable early start hot hazard sunny position selected according ambient temperature species dark patches wings provide shade body use posture avoid behaviour involves body raised abdomen pointing sun solar radiation received hot day adjust body temperature water surface briefly touching times quick succession help avoid feeding adult hunt wing exceptionally acute strong flight exclusively eating wide variety insects ranging small butterflies smaller large prey item subdued head carried legs perch wings discarded prey usually head consume fifth body weight prey day larvae predators eating living things smaller staple diet insect larvae feed small fish species especially live temporary waters likely leave water hunt small ground night predators parasites swift predators fast catch include american hobby adults species prey provision nests laying egg captured insect water species ducks eat larvae preyed frogs fish water spiders migrate indian_ocean period migration globe actually feeding wing affected major parasites water water kill smaller larvae seen adults gut cause secondary infection parasites frogs complex involving period stage called secondary host swallow tunnel body wall enter gut form remains development eaten frog infected adult stage humans conservation live temperate areas north_america europe subject research majority species live tropical areas little studied destruction habitats species danger extinct named greatest cause decline forest clearance consequent drying streams pools rivers hydroelectric schemes drainage low lying land reduced suitable habitat pollution introduction alien species set status survey conservation action plan proposes establishment protected areas world management areas provide suitable habitat outside areas encouragement given modify forestry agricultural industrial practices enhance conservation time research needs consideration given pollution control public educated importance biodiversity habitat degradation reduced populations world example japan japan wetlands lost 20th century depend largely rice fields ponds creeks feed pest insects rice acting natural pest control steadily declining africa represent conservation priority long lifespan low population density makes vulnerable disturbance collisions vehicles roads built near wetlands species fly low slow risk attracted shiny surfaces produce mistake water known aggregate close polished solar panels automobiles structures attempt lay eggs local impact populations methods reducing structures solar panels experimentation culture blue found late middle kingdom ancient egypt native american tribes represent activity symbolize pure water common motif pottery stylized double barred cross appear rock art traditional medicine japan china indonesia adults caught poles sticky fried oil united_states sought hobby similar known latin order especially popular texas different species observed care dry fingers handled released butterflies encouraged images common especially jewellery designs decorative motif home douglas british motorcycle manufacturer based bristol named designed postwar flat twin model classical names japan archaic japanese words interpretation attributed legend japan mythical founder emperor eaten seasonal symbol japan associated autumn generally symbols courage strength happiness appear art literature especially japanese children catch large game hair small tied end throw air mistakes prey gets hair dragged ground weight europe seen sinister english vernacular names horse devil needle ear cutter link evil injury swedish folklore holds devil uses weigh people souls norwegian eye poker portugal called eyes associated snakes welsh servant southern united_states term snake doctor refers folk belief follow snakes injured known natural history english insects published scientific descriptions including banded english artist illustrations accurate identified species left plate illustrated inaccurate drawing lower left appears poetry literature wrote book japanese japanese poets created numerous early autumn poet wrote crimson pepper pod add pairs wings look relating autumn season similarly wrote dyed days red poet alfred lord described splitting old skin emerging shining metallic blue like mail poem voices lines inner impulse rent veil old head tail came clear plates mail novelist described rapid flight book river saw endless procession area water small continuous play blue snowy flowers sun water confined true fashion small space continuous turning returning endless striking swift lost sunlight
Dragonfly