Table of contents
- The sting of the dragonfly
- We give the all-clear!
- Can dragonflies bite?
- Don't be afraid of dragonflies!
More than 5000 dragonfly species are known worldwide. In Germany, the dragonflies, the darter dragonflies, the azure and the rush damsels are among the best-known representatives of the genus Odonata. They live near water. Hardly anyone can escape the charm of the insects with the silvery shimmering wings. The question is asked again and again whether the dragonfly can injure a person.
The sting of the dragonfly
The fact is that all dragonfly species known in Germany have a sting. Especially in the case of the female dragonfly, the sting reaches a frightening size. People used to believe that a single dragonfly could kill a human or a horse. The fear of the sting or bite of the insect was expressed in the common names
- devil needle
- snake cutter
- eye drill
We give the all-clear!
The spike looks more dangerous than it is. None of our native dragonflies can harm a human with a sting. Even though the dragonfly's sting is many times larger than that of the wasp, it's not half as dangerous. The dragonfly sting is large but blunt. From a scientific point of view, it is not a thorn, 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 stalks of 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 some species. The lifetime 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 stinger for defense. They can pump their venom into the human skin via this sting, and a stabbing pain quickly develops.
Info:
Did you know that dragonflies are among the few insects that can even fly backwards or hover like a helicopter? The dragonfly feeds in flight and even mating takes place in the air in some species.
Can dragonflies bite?
If the fascinating insects can't sting, maybe they can bite? The assumption is reasonable, because the dragonfly appears like a monster on enlarged images. Today's macro photography capabilities can perfectly amplify that fear. The dragonfly has powerful biting tools. These help in crushing and consuming their prey. Prey includes
- mosquitoes
- Fly
- butterflies
- Moth
- Beetle
- smaller conspecifics
Because of their strong jaws, dragonflies are able to break up even the hard chitin shells of beetles. People are completely uninteresting to the predatory insect. Nobody has to be afraid of a dragonfly bite. Representatives of the small pincer dragonfly (Onychogomphus forcipatus) have pincers in addition to the biting tools. This, too, is not suitable for harming a person. She helps the male to embrace the female dragonfly during mating.
Don't be afraid of dragonflies!
None of the native dragonfly species pose a threat to humans. However, humans and their impact on the environment pose a serious threat to the enchanting insect. All 80 Odonata species living in Central Europe are protected. 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 flowing water and allow conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the water.
If you are about to be buzzed by a dragonfly or if it happens to land on your arm, hold still. Enjoy this adorable insect. You don't have to be afraid. There is no danger for humans.
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