Trivia question for Nov-05-2011

Olivia picked another bug for her trivia but this one is sure to fool a few folks for sure.  These are one of the fastest flying insects, capable of reaching over 25-mph in short bursts.

It is large, with a long body. It has green markings on the black bodies, and the male also has blue spots on the abdomen. They breed in still or slow-flowing water, but will wander widely, and is often seen in gardens and open woodland. This is an inquisitive species and will approach people. The males are often seen patrolling by a ponds edge or river, where they fight away intruders, crashing into rival males and spiraling through the air. The females are quite inconspicuous when they lay their eggs, but they sometimes give away their spot by clattering up from the reeds. If you look carefully you can sometimes find them ovipositing (laying eggs) into some moss, reeds or rotten wood. The males are sometimes very curious and come flying up to you and allowing a close view.

So here are Olivia’s questions:  Tell us what this insect is called and tell us what these adult insects do when captured?  Also, tell us what the typical diet is for these guys as Nymph’s and also what they like to eat as adults?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to Aashish Agarwal for being the first with the correct answer. The insect we featured is the Southern Hawker Dragonfly. The Southern Hawker or Blue Darner is a 2.8 in long species of hawker dragonfly. It is large, with a long body. It has green markings on the black bodies, and the male also has blue spots on the abdomen.  When captured, the hawker dragonfly curls its abdomen forward, mimicking the action os a stinging insect.  If not released, it may even bite its attacker.

The adult eats various insects such as gnats and mosquitoes caught on the wing.  The nymphs feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles and small fish ambushed in the pond they frequent until they emerge as adults in July and August after three years’ development.  Here is more on these acrobatic flyers: Souther Hawker Dragonfly

Thanks for playing along 😉