In Flight
Anadultdragonflylooksdifferentfromanymph.First,itsbodyhasbrightcolors.Thecolorshelpittoattracta mate.
Thismalesouthernhawkerdragonflyisin flight.
Adultdragonflies'eyeshavethousandsof lenses.
Second,ithastwolargecompoundeyes.Eacheyehasthousandsoflenses.Italsohasthreesimpleeyes.Together,theseeyeshelpthedragonfly hunt.
Third,theadultdragonflyhastwosetsofwings.Itcanflyforward,backward,orsideways.Itcanbeatitswingstogetheroreachcanmove alone.
Dragonflieshavesixlegs,butmostcannot walk.
Thissouthernhawkerisonthehuntforflying insects.
FocusedHunter
Thisdragonflyisadeadlyhunter.Itcatchespreywhileitflies.Thedragonflymustknowthreethingsaboutitsprey.Itsdistance.Itsdirection.Itsspeed.Thenthedragonfly follows.
Thedragonflyholdsitslegsforward.Itgrabsthepreyfromtheair.Thenitbitesofftheprey’swingsbeforeeatingthe body.
Eatingandmatingareanadultdragonfly'sonlytwojobs.Withintwomonths,theadultsdie.Thentheireggswaitforthelifecycletobegin again.
Somefemaleslaytheireggsinthe water.
