When most people see a dragonfly, they think of graceful flight, shimmering wings, and summer afternoons around the water. What many do not realize is that most of a dragonfly’s life is spent underwater.
A life that begins beneath the surface
Dragonflies begin as eggs laid in or near water. After hatching, the immature dragonfly—called a nymph or naiad—lives among submerged vegetation, sediment, woody cover, or other underwater structure.
The length of this aquatic stage varies tremendously by species and environmental conditions. Many Missouri species complete their life cycle in about a year. Fast-developing species in temporary waters may mature in weeks, while others remain underwater for several years. The federally endangered Hine’s emerald, for example, can take about four years to develop from egg to adult.
Built to ambush prey
Dragonfly nymphs are skilled predators. Depending on their size and species, they may consume mosquito and midge larvae, other aquatic insects, small crustaceans, tadpoles, and occasionally small fish.
Their most remarkable hunting tool is a hinged, extendable lower lip called the labium. It folds beneath the head while the nymph waits, then shoots forward rapidly to grasp or spear prey. Dragonfly nymphs can also force water from an internal rectal chamber, allowing them to move quickly when escaping danger or pursuing prey.
Hunters of the air
When development is complete, the nymph crawls out of the water, splits its final nymphal skin, and emerges as a winged adult. The empty skin left behind is called an exuvia.
Adult dragonflies are agile aerial predators. Their large compound eyes provide an exceptionally broad field of view, and their independently controlled wings allow them to accelerate, hover, turn sharply, and intercept prey in flight. Mosquitoes, midges, flies, gnats, and other small flying insects may all become part of their diet.
What dragonflies tell us about water
Dragonflies depend on aquatic habitat to complete their life cycle, so their presence connects the health of the shoreline with conditions beneath the water. Ponds, wetlands, streams, and seasonal waters with suitable vegetation and underwater structure can support diverse dragonfly communities.
However, one dragonfly—or even many dragonflies—does not prove that water is clean. Pollution tolerance differs among dragonfly species, and some tolerate disturbed or nutrient-rich water better than others. Biologists learn more by examining the entire aquatic macroinvertebrate community, including which species are present, which are absent, and their relative abundance.
Steward’s Fact Most of a dragonfly’s life occurs underwater. The adult patrolling a pond may represent only the brief, visible chapter of a much longer aquatic story.
Stewardship for dragonfly habitat
Healthy dragonfly habitat is not created by making every shoreline look the same. Different species use different water depths, vegetation structures, flow conditions, and substrates. Protecting a diversity of ponds, wetlands, streams, seasonal pools, native shoreline plants, and submerged structure supports dragonflies along with fish, amphibians, waterfowl, and other aquatic life.
Thoughtful pesticide use, erosion control, vegetated buffers, and protection of wetlands and natural shorelines can help maintain the aquatic communities on which dragonflies depend.
The next time you see a dragonfly patrolling the edge of a pond or creek, remember that you are looking at an animal that may already have spent months—or even years—as one of the underwater world’s most capable predators.
Every dragonfly has a story that begins beneath the surface.
Question: Have you ever found a dragonfly nymph or empty exuvia near a pond or creek, or have you only noticed the adults flying overhead?