Dragonflies fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are dragonflies?

Dragonflies are insects in the order Odonata. Adult dragonflies have a long abdomen, two pairs of wings, three pairs of legs and very large eyes. They are close relatives of damselflies, but dragonflies are usually more robust and often rest with their wings held out to the sides.

A dragonfly.

Dragonfly species come in a variety of colours.

Where do dragonflies live?

Dragonflies are linked to aquatic habitats because their eggs and young stages need water. They use ponds, streams, lakes, creeks, swamps and other wet places. At Field of Mars Reserve, there is suitable habitat in the bushland creeks, wetlands and waterway edges connected to Buffalo Creek, Strangers Creek and the Lane Cove River catchment. Dragonflies live in and near aquatic habitats.

What do dragonflies eat?

Adult dragonflies catch insects in the air using their legs like a basket. Nymphs live underwater and hunt freshwater invertebrates; larger species can also take tadpoles and small fish. Because they are predators in both water and air, dragonflies are an important part of freshwater and bushland food webs.

Dragonfly feeding on captured prey.

What is the life cycle of a dragonfly?

A female dragonfly lays eggs in or near fresh water. The eggs hatch into aquatic nymphs, which moult many times as they grow. When fully developed, the nymph climbs onto a rock, reed or branch and the adult dragonfly emerges from the final skin, called an exuvia. Depending on the species and habitat, the nymph stage can last months or even 1–2 years, while adults usually live for only a few weeks.

After mating female dragonflies lay their eggs in or near fresh water.

Dragonfly larva or nymph from the aquatic stage of the life cycle.

A dragonfly emerging from its nymph exoskeleton beside the water.

What adaptations do dragonflies have to help them survive?

Dragonflies have many adaptations that help them survive as fast and successful predators. Their huge compound eyes give them excellent vision and help them detect movement in almost every direction. Their two pairs of wings can move independently, allowing them to hover, dart forward, fly backwards and change direction quickly. Strong legs help them catch prey in flight. Dragonfly nymphs also have special adaptations for life underwater, including powerful jaws for catching prey and the ability to move quickly through water to escape danger or attack other animals.

Why are dragonflies important?

Dragonflies help keep insect populations in balance because they are hunters as both nymphs and adults. They also show how important healthy creeks, ponds and wetlands are for biodiversity.

How can you help dragonflies?

You can help dragonflies by protecting creeks, ponds and wetlands, keeping water clean and leaving native plants, reeds, logs and rocks around waterways. These features give dragonflies places to hunt, shelter and emerge from the water.

Plants growing in or near ponds provide dragonflies with a perch.

Common dragonflies likely to be found in Field of Mars Reserve and around Sydney

Field of Mars Reserve is a bushland reserve in East Ryde. The reserve includes wetlands, creek lines and a vegetated corridor linked to Buffalo Creek, Strangers Creek and the Lane Cove River, so it provides the kinds of freshwater habitats dragonflies use. The species below are common or widespread Australian dragonflies that are likely to be found in the reserve and surrounding Lane Cove and Ryde area.

Australian Emperor (Hemianax papuensis)

The Australian Emperor is a large dragonfly often seen patrolling over water. The Australian Museum describes it as a large, common dragonfly, and Museum Victoria describes it as a large pale brown to yellow dragonfly associated with freshwater habitats. Atlas of Living Australia currently treats Anax papuensis as the accepted name and lists Hemianax papuensis as a synonym.

Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum)

The Blue Skimmer is one of Australia’s most common dragonflies. It often perches on the ground or on low sticks and logs, and it inhabits a wide range of standing and flowing waters.

Wandering Percher (Diplacodes bipunctata)

The Wandering Percher is a small dragonfly that uses standing and slow-flowing waters. It often perches low, and mature males can appear bright orange-red to red.

Tau Emerald (Hemicordulia tau)

The Tau Emerald is a medium-sized dragonfly with a dull metallic green-brown body and yellow markings. Queensland Museum describes it as a species that inhabits a wide range of freshwater habitats.

Blue-spotted Hawker (Adversaeschna brevistyla)

The Blue-spotted Hawker is a larger dragonfly with pale blue or pale markings on a darker body. Queensland Museum describes it as a large brownish dragonfly with pale stripes and spots that inhabits standing waters including lakes, dams and ponds.

Related fact sheets

More invertebrate fact sheets

• Invertebrate fact sheets – overview

• Insects fact sheet  – dragonflies are insects with the same basic insect body plan.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Water habitats fact sheet  – shows why dragonflies need freshwater for eggs and nymphs.

• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet  – explains the local creeks, wetlands and catchment context.

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