The Amazing Dragonfly

Let's Give Them a Place to Call Home

I think most of us can agree that dragonflies are just cool.  Seeing them zipping across a field or pond is an amazing site.  But all that zipping isn't for exercise, it's for food! They are constantly eating as they fly.  I can recall many visits to state or national parks where swarms of dragonflies are gathering in the air over a freshly mowed field or grass area.  As the insects are stirred up and frenzied by the mowers or tractors, the dragonflies take advantage of the easy hunting.

As cool and beautiful as they are, dragonflies are fierce predators.  And an insect they love to prey on is an insect most of us humans would rather do without -- mosquitos!

Of course mosquitos lay eggs in bodies of water, but in backyard water gardens, we have koi and goldfish to take care of that problem.  But often times there are other sources of water for mosquitos to breed that don't have fish or aren't treated in another way.  Grass is also a harbor for mosquitos.  They spend their day down in the coolness, avoiding the heat and predators like the dragonflies and birds.

Dragonflies need water to lay their eggs -- often they lay their eggs directly in the water or at least very close to water.  The dragonfly nymph when in the larval stage will live under the water -- this stage is usually 1-2 years.  At the end of the larval cycle the nymph will climb out of the water and emerge from its exoskeleton and begin to dry out to become a dragonfly.

Have you watched a dragonfly over your pond? It will fly and hunt for a while then perch.  Giving the dragonflies places to perch makes your pond more attractive to them.  They prefer a tall spike or stem.  Adding aquatic plants such as these also gives nymphs a place to ascend from the pond to complete their metamorphosis and dry out. -- a process that can take several hours.

So what type of aquatic plants are good to attract more dragonflies?  Really any tall stemmed plant will do, but here are a few of my favorites that I personally see dragonflies use all the time!

Water Lilies 

I realize I mentioned a tall spike or stem above, but dragonflies also love water lilies to for laying eggs.  You will see them perch on the lily pad and then curve their abdomen into the water.

Iris

Although iris leaves are not the strongest of plants, dragonflies like them all the same.  I've spent lots of time admiring dragonflies bouncing on an iris leaf.

Pickerel Rush

Tall stems make a perfect plant for the nymph to climb out of the water.  The tall spikey blooms make natural perches for the adult.

Swamp Milkweed

Why not make everyone happy.  Tall stems are loved by dragonflies and milkweed is the ONLY food of the Monarch butterfly caterpillar!

Horsetail Rush

While I don't recommend you plant horsetail in your pond unless it is contained in a pot, the tall plant with no leaves or blooms is perfect for dragonflies.

So think about dragonflies as you plant your pond.  Do you have places for them to perch? Tall stems for nymphs to climb out of the water?  Adding plants to your pond will not only benefit you -- making your pond more lovely, benefit your pond by cleaning and clearing the water, but also giving dragonflies a place to call home!