Blue Dasher (female)

© Judd Patterson (Photo #1160)

Date: April 13, 2008
Location: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Florida)
Country: United States

Comments: Dragonflies are fascinating insects that spend a year or more as aquatic nymphs where they must molt 6-15 times before emerging as the adult that we see flying around. These amazing aerial acrobats typically catch mosquitoes, midges, and bees while zipping through their territory. To accomplish this task they utilize as much as 80% of their brainpower for vision.