Dragonfly

(Odonata)

As larvae in the pond, they are very voracious predators. Adults are skilful flying acrobats. They can stand in the air and even fly backwards, thanks to their individually controllable pairs of wings, which they use to form a ‘basket’ with their legs to catch and eat prey in the air.

Species:

• 77 dragonfly species can be found in Austria
• Large dragonflies with thick bodies and very slender damselflies
  
  

Body structure:

• Compound eyes with up to 30,000 individual eyes
• Powerful mouthparts, dragonflies are carnivores
• Long, slender body for stabilisation during flight
  
  

Flying skills:

• Pairs of wings can move independently of each other
• Abrupt changes of direction, flying backwards and remaining stationary standing still in the air possible
• Top speeds of up to 50 km/h
• Mating in flight - characteristic mating wheel