Dragonflies

[will]

We get a lot of dragonflies in our garden.

Don't know why, but they are cool as f**k!

Does anyone know what attracts them?

I would like to do more of whatever it is as i just spent five miniutes whatching one fly around while I sipped my wine and I would like to do anything I can to attract more.

Will

[Neil Bromhall]

Hi Will,
You must have a pond near you to get Dragonflies.
They are patrolling around your gardens searching and catching flying insects to feed on.
They will find a mate and then lay their eggs in the pond.
The male will grab the female and stay with her until she decides a good place to lay her eggs. If the female has been had by a previous male, the new male will scoop out the previous owners sprem so that only his sperm fertilises the eggs.
The dragonfly nymphs live in the ponds for 2-3 years, feeding on tadpoles and other meaty creatures.

There are quite a few different types of dragonfly and also you'll find the dainty damselfly.
When they mate the female will actually go under water draggin the male down with her. She cuts a grove in a plant stem and lays her egg within.
Some females go so far under they can't hold their breath and so they drown, drowning the male too.

City folk don't get much of a chance to see dragonflies. They are neat fliers.

[will]

Great picture and I particularly like the idea of the male dragon flies scooping out the sperm of any previous suitors!

I guess we just have to consider the dragonflies as compensation for the midges then.

Will