There is a persistent rumor that dragonflies can sting and bite. Terms such as "devil's needle" and "horse death" make the rounds. This causes uncertainty in the family garden and on the go when paths with dragonflies cross. This guide lifts the veil of error that surrounds harmless dragonflies.

Dragonflies cannot sting or bite

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Dragonflies don't sting
  3. Dragonflies don't bite
  4. Dragonflies are non-toxic
  5. Dragonfly Friendly Garden
  6. frequently asked Questions

    7. the essentials in brief

    • Dragonflies don't sting. Females never use their blunt ovipositor as a defensive spike.
    • Dragonflies don't bite. In the worst case, a mouth part opened in dire need causes slight pinching.
    • Dragonflies are not venomous because they do not have venom glands.

    Dragonflies don't sting

    Dragonflies are superlative insects with breathtaking abilities. Stinging isn't one of them. In fact, an imposing spine can be seen at the end of the abdomen. If you don't know, this sight will terrify you. Even our ancestors were convinced that such large stings must be much more dangerous than small wasp or bee stings. High time to put this misconception out of the world. The following table summarizes why dragonflies do not sting compared to other insects:

    dragonflies wasps bees bumblebees
    spike shape blunt pointed pointed pointed
    sting function ovipositor weir spike weir spike weir spike
    with poison gland no Yes Yes Yes

    A chain of unfortunate misconceptions earned the dragonfly the middle name "Devil's Needle". Everyone knows that a wasp sting can be very painful. A bee or bumblebee sting is also accompanied by symptoms that last for days. Huge dragonflies with a conspicuous sting are given the stamp of dangerous monster insects. Reality gives us a completely different picture.

    Pacifists with ovipositors

    What looks like a spike is actually a laying tool

    The spine at the end of the segmented abdomen of some native dragonfly species is used exclusively for laying eggs. Furthermore, this pseudo spike is blunt, so that it cannot be called a needle. The correct term is laying drill. It is a tool for reproduction by placing fertilized eggs in soft substrate in or near water. This task falls to the females, so male dragonflies are born without ovipositors.

    A blunt ovipositor cannot penetrate human skin, even if the dragonfly wanted to. However, the dazzlingly colorful helicopter has no such intention. Likewise, the good-natured insects do not attempt to kill horses. The term "Horse Death" therefore belongs in the land of fables. Dragonflies are among the pacifists in the insect kingdom, characterized by a friendly and shy disposition.

    In the distant past, wasps, bees and bumblebees also had a blunt ovipositor. However, evolution had other plans with the reproductive tools of this category of insects. During the course of development, the ovipositor transformed into a sharp, poisonous weir spike. For this reason, only queens and workers in the bee colony have a sting that careless people occasionally feel. Males are at a disadvantage. Drones used to have no ovipositor, and today they can't boast of a defense spike.

    digression

    Shake flight is not an attack

    Dragonflies are daring aerialists. Ironically, their impressive flying skills are the origin of a widespread misconception. Some dragonfly species can reach top speeds of up to 50 km/h and can suddenly brake at full flight. The insects remain shaking in the air in order to observe the surroundings with their furious compound eyes. Onlookers like to use this flying technique to inspect a human visitor to their territory up close. Unfortunately, the ingenious shaking flight is misunderstood by many people as an attack, followed by fatal counter-reactions to the chagrin of the curious dragonflies.

    Dragonflies don't bite

    Dragonflies use their sharp mouthparts to crack through chitin shells, they cannot bite humans

    With their powerful mouthparts, dragonflies can crack through almost any insect shell. In fact, the upper jaw has pointed teeth with sharp edges that effortlessly grind up any prey. These solid jaws are the source of the myth of aggressive dragonflies that glumly look out for humans to bite. That's right: dragonflies don't bite. The following context explains why this is so:

    • Human skin is too thick for serious injury from dragonfly teeth
    • Mouthparts are primarily used for eating
    • Only in dire need do dragonflies use their jaws for defense

    From the point of view of their compound eyes, people are not enemies for dragonflies and certainly not prey. As a result, the mouth remains tightly closed, even when a tired dragonfly settles on an arm, hand or leg to rest. However, if you press or squeeze the harmless natural jewel, you should not be surprised if it bites you. Serious consequences, such as after a spider bite, are not to be feared. Rather, those affected perceive a slight pinching before the dragonfly, sorely disappointed by humans, rises into the air.

    tips

    The film "Kings for a Summer" by Libellen.tv offers a fascinating journey through the life of dragonflies. For three years, the insect friends accompanied the coming and going of the dragonfly kingdom. The film is available on DVD, Blue Ray and DVD-9 for EUR 15.95. An exciting pleasure for the whole family.

    Dragonflies are not poisonous

    Poison is a foreign word for dragonflies. The picturesque beauties do not have poison glands on the ovipositor, which would be counterproductive in the immediate vicinity of valuable insect eggs. Furthermore, dragonflies do not inject toxic substances with their mouthparts. Direct contact with the iridescent body does not pose any danger to humans or pets.

    Tips for the dragonfly-friendly garden

    Once the veil of errors and false suspicions has lifted, an invaluable natural gem comes to light. In the natural garden, dragonflies make a free contribution to ecological pest control. We have the busy dragonflies in the garden to thank for the leisurely coffee table without annoying mosquitoes and flies. The colorful insects offer captivating spectacles with romantic wedding dances and thrilling territorial battles. Good reasons for a garden that invites dragonflies to linger. These components include:

    • clean water: Standing or flowing water without artificial additives such as chlorine
    • lush planting: varied plant species on the bank and on the water surface
    • free pond areas: balanced combination of free and green pond areas
    • sufficient water depth: a water zone at least 80 cm deep in the garden pond
    • no pesticides: consistent renunciation of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers

    Basically, dragonflies are happy with any variety of water in the garden with natural conditions and dense bank vegetation. Most female dragonflies lay their eggs in water. After a development period of three months to five years, the adult larvae leave the pond to hatch on stems and leaves near the bank.

    frequently asked Questions

    Can dragonflies sting cats?

    Cats can become dangerous to the dragonfly, not the other way around

    Dragonflies do not have a defensive spike. What appears to be a poisonous sting at the end of the abdomen is actually a blunt ovipositor. For this reason, harmless dragonflies cannot sting cats, dogs or even people. Conversely, the situation is different. When a flying or shaking dragonfly awakens a cat's hunting instinct, it doesn't end well for the dragonfly.

    How long do dragonflies live?

    Dragonflies spend most of their lives as larvae in water. In Central Europe, this phase lasts from three months, like the early darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) to five years, like the genus Cordulegaster. As adult dragonflies, the insects live an average of six to eight weeks. The Methuselah among European species are the winter dragonflies (Sympecma), with an adult lifespan of ten to eleven months. However, winter dragonflies stay frozen for between four and six months of their lives.

    Where can you see dragonflies?

    Standing or slow-moving bodies of water are the best places to see dragonflies in their natural habitat. Some dragonflies, such as the wonderful blue-green mermaid (Aeshna cyanea), also like to stay away from water bodies, such as in densely planted residential areas or allotment garden colonies. Biotopes, lakes and ponds with lush riparian vegetation are the most popular habitats for most European species.

    Is it true that seven dragonfly stings can kill a human or a horse?

    This claim is unfounded and dates back to a time when people still believed in witches and wizards. The fact is that dragonflies don't sting because they don't have a defensive spine. At the end of its long, slender body is a blunt ovipositor that is used solely for laying eggs. Furthermore, peaceful, friendly dragonflies do not dream of stinging people, horses or other warm-blooded animals.

    A dragonfly often sits in the garden with drooping wings and outstretched abdomen. Does the dragonfly want to sting me?

    No, you describe a special position that dragonflies adopt to warm up. As cold-blooded insects, dragonflies first have to soak up warm sunshine in order to be active at all. To do this, they point their abdomen towards the sun and lower their wings. It is therefore not a threatening gesture, because dragonflies are peaceful fellows and cannot sting.

    Can you catch dragonflies?

    All dragonfly species are protected and may not be caught. Of 80 European species, two thirds are critically endangered and 20 percent are threatened with extinction. In the last 60 years, two irreplaceable dragonfly species have already disappeared forever. To draw attention to the threatening situation of these beautiful insects, the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU) and the Society of German-speaking Odonatologists (GdO) nominate a dragonfly of the year every year.

    tips

    Dragonflies already hunt annoying insects and all kinds of caterpillars when they are still young. Potential victims are captured with a trap mask and eaten.

Category:

Animals in the garden