Can dragonflies sting or bite?

More than 5000 species of dragonflies are known worldwide. In Germany the dragonflies, the darter, the azure and rush damsel are among the best-known representatives of the genus Odonata. They live near water. Hardly anyone can escape the charm of the insects with their silvery shimmering wings. The question is asked again and again whether the dragonfly can cause injuries to a person.

The sting of the dragonfly

The fact is that all known dragonfly species in Germany have a sting. Especially in the female dragonflies, the sting reaches a frightening size. People used to believe that a single dragonfly would be able to kill a human or a horse. The fear of the sting or bite of the insect was expressed in the widespread

Designations

• Devil needle
• Snake prick
• Eye drill

We give the all-clear!

The sting looks more dangerous than it is. None of our native dragonflies can harm a person with a sting. Even if the sting of the dragonfly is many times larger than that of the wasp, it is not half as dangerous. The dragonfly stinger is large but blunt. From a scientific point of view, it is not a sting, but a so-called ovipositor. With this the dragonfly cannot penetrate human skin or that of a horse. The ovipositor fulfills a completely different task, it is needed to lay eggs. Female dragonflies use it to pierce the leaves or stems of the aquatic plants and lay their eggs in them. The larvae hatch in spring and leave the plant.

the

Development from the egg to the finished dragonfly can take up to three years for individual species. The lifespan of a dragonfly, on the other hand, is very short. It is only three to eleven months. Bees and wasps, on the other hand, have a sting for defense. You can pump your poison through this sting into the human skin and a sharp pain quickly arises.

Info: Did you know that dragonflies are one of the few insects that can even fly backwards or on the spot like a helicopter? The dragonfly eats in flight and even mating takes place in the air in some species.

Can dragonflies bite?

If the fascinating insects can't sting, can they bite? The assumption is obvious, because the dragonfly appears like a monster on enlarged images. Today's macro photography capabilities can perfectly reinforce this fear. The dragonfly has powerful biting tools. These help with chopping up and consuming their prey. To the prey animals belong

• Mosquitoes
• To fly
• Butterflies
• Moth
• Beetle
• smaller conspecifics

Due to the powerful biting tools, dragonflies are able to even attack the solid chitin shells of beetles

crush. Humans are completely uninteresting for the predatory insect. Nobody has to fear a dragonfly bite. Representatives of the small pincer dragonfly (Onychogomphus forcipatus) have a pair of pliers in addition to the biting tools. This, too, is not suitable for causing harm to a person. It helps the male to embrace the female dragonfly as it mates.

Don't be afraid of dragonflies!

None of the native dragonfly species pose a threat to humans. Humans and their effects on the environment, on the other hand, pose a serious threat to the enchanting insect. All 80 Odonata species living in Central Europe are under nature protection. It is forbidden to catch them or damage them in any other way.

By the way: Dragonflies (Calopterygidae) are of great importance to conservationists. They live exclusively on clean rivers and allow conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the water.

If a dragonfly is about to swirl around you, or if it happens to settle on your arm, hold still. Enjoy this adorable insect. You don't have to be afraid. There is no danger to humans.