Written by Rachel Putnam
Summer is a great time for watching dragonflies. Whether you are in the park or your neighborhood, chances are you’ll be lucky enough to see at least one of the approximately 140 species of dragonflies native to Minnesota. With their large compound eyes, narrow outstretched wings, and long abdomen, dragonflies are distinctive insects built for hunting while flying. Dragonflies have the best vision of any insect, and their wings can rotate independently, allowing them incredible control while flying. Dragonflies can fly backwards or rise straight in the air, and are capable of flying in speedy bursts as well as cruising slowly at near-stalling speeds. Small insects such as mosquitoes, midges, and gnats make up the bulk of a dragonfly’s diet, and a dragonfly will usually catch these insects with their mouths and eat them while flying. For larger prey (which can include other dragonflies), dragonflies will use their long spiny legs like a basket to scoop the insect out of the air and find a perch to finish their meal.
Spend some time observing dragonflies and you might see a strange sight: two dragonflies flying hitched together. Dragonflies mate on the wing, and even after copulation, the male will often continue to fly in tandem with the female to guard her while she lays her eggs. Dragonflies begin life in water (such as a pond, wetland or river): the female hovers over the water and dips her abdomen into the water, laying her eggs. The eggs hatch into dragonfly nymphs, which are drab and wingless and look nothing like the adults. Dragonfly nymphs live underwater and are fierce predators. They hunt other aquatic insects, tadpoles, and even small fish, shooting out their lower jaw to grab and catch their prey. They may live as aquatic insects for as little as a month or as long as 8 years before crawling up out of the water, shedding their nymphal exoskeleton, and emerging as an adult ready to take to the skies.
Interested in learning more about dragonflies? We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, August 19 for Dragonfly Snag & Spy, one of our many free programs this month.
August Programming at Kroening Nature Center
Wild Nature Challenge · Thursday, August 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free, ages 6+ (activity #139304). Practice outdoor skills in the park: build shelters, maneuver through obstacles, and build a campfire with the bare essentials.
Outdoors: Plants for Pollinators · Saturday, August 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free, ages 18+ (activity #139302). Learn about local pollinators and the plants they like best. Join a naturalist on a hike in the park to see examples of pollinator habitat and discover ways to help pollinators.
Nature Art: Wildflower Suncatchers · Saturday, August 5, 1-2:30 p.m. $5/person, ages 18+ (activity #139272). Use your creativity to craft a suncatcher made from wildflowers and add a touch of nature to your home. All materials included.
Nature Art: Fairy Gardens · Thursday, August 10, 6-7:30 p.m. $15/per person, all ages (activity #141198). Explore an imaginary world and create a delightful miniature garden to bring home for the fairies. All materials included.
Nature Tots: Turtle Time · Saturday, August 12, 12:30-1:30 p.m. $5/child, ages 2-5 with an adult (activity #139964). Learn about turtles through imaginative play, activities and exploring outside with a naturalist.
Nature Date Night: Star Party · Saturday, August 12, 7:30-10 p.m. $5/per person, ages 18+ (activity #139274). Join us for an evening of stargazing, listen to a talk by author Paul Bogard, and gather around the campfire for popcorn.
New Moon Stargazing · Thursday, August 17, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Free, ages 8+ (activity # 139297). Join a naturalist to learn about the night sky. If it’s overcast, a nature walk will be offered instead.
Dragonfly Snag & Spy · Saturday, August 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free, all ages (activity #139257). Discover the wonder and diversity of dragonflies through activities and games, and go on a hunt for dragonflies with a naturalist.
Hike: Noticing Nature · Thursday, August 24, 7-8 p.m. (activity #139300). Tap into your senses as you explore the park with a naturalist guide. Tune in to the rhythm of the season, reset your mind and body, and practice noticing nature.
Hike: Riverside Stroll · Saturday, August 26, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, ages 8+ (activity #139268). Visit the river’s edge with a naturalist to learn about riparian plants and animals and find out what life is like on a floodplain.
Fishing Friendly Waters · Thursday, August 31, 5:30-8 p.m. Free, all ages (activity #139262). Learn how household cleaners affect water quality and fish, make your own eco-friendly cleaner to take home, and go fishing with a naturalist. Fishing gear provided (or bring your own).