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Flying
with Dinosaurs
____________________________________________________
Posted: 18th July 2008
Photo: Migrant Hawker by
Nick Patel |
Fossil records show they are among the most ancient of living creatures, dating back almost 300 million years to Carboniferous times. They predate Pterodactyls by 100 million years and birds by around 150 million years.
Incredibly you can see them at a pond near you right now.
Take a pair of binoculars to your local lake or stream and enjoy watching these
aerial acrobats, better known as 'dragonflies', zipping through the air.
It's astonishing to think that the prehistoric ancestors of these insects
would have flown over the first supercontinent - Pangea. They'd have seen
the arrival of the first reptiles on land, and buzzed around the heads of giant meat-eating dinosaurs, like Tyrannosaurus
rex.
Dragonflies have survived mass extinctions, ice ages, global warming, and so
far have even managed to survive the worst that homo-saps can throw at them.
Not only that, but they also come in a range of nice colours. ;)
Their flying abilities easily surpass any man-made flying machine. They have
lightning fast acceleration and are more maneuverable than any modern
aircraft.
Dragonflies catch their food by bending their legs into a cup shape and funneling flies into their grasp.
Photo: Broad-bodied
Chaser by John Baker |
If you're lucky you might witness a dragonfly nymph emerging from the water. First it crawls up a reed, then the larval skin splits open and the adult dragonfly emerges from the larval casing. Finally the wings expand as blood is pumped into them. The whole process can take up to two hours.
Photo: Brown Hawker
larval casing by G. Bradley |
They are some of our largest insects, but the lifespan of adult dragonflies is fairly short. Most live for less than eight weeks, so enjoy them while they’re
around.
 Dragonfly
Identification Chart
Learn how to recognise the 45 different species of dragonfly and
damselfly most frequently found in of Britain. Suitable
for all ages
Our Price - £3.50
|
Related Links:
UK Safari Dragonfly Section
UK Safari Damselfly Section
UK Safari News
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