Should I be concerned about dragonflies in my yard?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question Should I be concerned about dragonflies in my yard?

Answer The dragonfly is truly an amazing insect. Adult dragonflies only live about 6 months. However, immature dragonflies live under water for as long as 5 years. Both immature and adult dragonflies are fierce predators. They are most hated by mosquitoes. Immature dragonflies feed on immature mosquitoes. Adult dragonflies patrol the skies in search of adult mosquitoes.

Southerners recognized this habit a long time ago. Most folks in eastern NC call them “skeeter hawks” instead of dragonflies. This nickname is recognition of this insect’s ability to hunt down mosquitoes (aka skeeters).

While Southerners have the most accurate interpretation of this insect other cultures cover a wide range. The term “dragonfly” is obviously European. Throughout history Europeans have been scared of dragons. This deep rooted fear was transferred to the dragonfly. English, Romanian and Swedish folklore link this insect to some sort of instrument of the devil. Norwegians call them Oyenstikker, which means eye poker, while the Portuguese call them eye snatchers. The Welsh associate them with snakes. Evidently, there are a few Welsh descendants in the South, because some folks still link the two together. The thread linking snakes to skeeter hawks may be water. I don’t think the two are linked together any more than alligators and Cajuns.

American Indians have traditionally associated dragonflies with speed, activity and pure water. These people obviously didn’t live in a culture of fear. Asians elevated this insect by associating it with courage, strength and happiness. These folks may be giving too much credit to a simple bug.

Dragonflies have two pairs of wings that remain outstretched all the time. It is my opinion that Wilber and Orville Wright did not come to the Outer Banks to catch a gust of wind. I think they were playing on the beach, like hundreds of Ohioans do, when they were inspired by the flight of a skeeter hawk. After a trip to the Brew Thru, they sat on Jockey’s Ridge and designed a crude kite that looks like a skeeter hawk. The rest is history.

Skeeter hawks can be inspirational. They can be symbols of everything from happiness to evil, but one thing is for sure. They are mosquito hunting machines. I would be more concerned if I didn’t have dragonflies in my yard.

For more info about dragonflies, visit http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/compendium/odonata.html or http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/dragonflies/dragonflies.htm If you don’t have internet access, call the Extension Office at 893-7530 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

There is nothing more comforting than a lone sentinel skeeter hawk sitting on guard on the tip of my fishing pole while I wait for a fish to bite. If you look at him real close, you can see him fanning himself. He’ll be using little skeeter wings as fans.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent