What Do Dragonflies Eat?

Dragonflies are one of the most popular and interesting creatures found in nature. They can be found in many places across the world and their bright colors and graceful aerial displays make them a real delight to observe. But do you know what they actually eat? Below we’ll take a look at the dragonfly diet and discover exactly what these creatures feast on.

Insect-Based Diet

The diet of dragonflies is based almost entirely on insects. These creatures are agile predators, and they hunt by hovering in the air and looking for other flying insects. Dragonflies catch and eat mosquitoes, midges, aphids, and other types of small flying bugs. In fact, dragonflies play a very important role in the ecosystem, as they play a vital part in controlling the population of their prey.

Ground-Based Prey

Although dragonflies primarily catch and eat flying insects, they also eat some ground-based prey. As dragonflies patrol for aerial prey, they sometimes swoop down quickly to grab other types of tiny insects that inhabit the ground. Some of these include spiders, small beetles, and other bugs. The dragonfly can also often be found near water, where they feed on aquatic insects.

A True Predator

But it’s not only their insect-based diet that makes dragonflies such effective predators. Dragonflies have extremely powerful mandibles, which allow them to tear the wings off their prey before they consume them. They also have large, sharp eyes that help them find food quickly and efficiently.

Dragonflies are increasingly becoming an important part of the environment as they help to keep insect populations in check. So next time you’re admiring a dragonfly, take a moment to appreciate the intricate details of their diet too!