Dragonflies can be found in many different types of habitats. Small ponds, cat-tail/bulrush marshes, and sedge marshes tend to be the most productive and contain a wide variety of different kinds of dragonflies. However, some dragonflies prefer specific types of wetlands and bodies of water. A few are only found in streams. Some live in acidic bogs. Others prefer the alkaline lakes of the interior of BC. Dragonflies can even take advantage of temporary ponds that dry up over the course of the summer.

While you can find dragonflies in most parts of BC, they are threatened by the loss of habitat through the filling in of wetlands.

Agile Predators

Dragonflies specialize in different kinds of hunting techniques. The larva stage is characterized by three basic strategies. Some stalk their prey in vegetation (climbers). Others lie in the mud and debris at the bottom of a pond and wait for prey (sprawlers). One species burrows itself completely in the mud (burrower). While the prey of the larvae is mostly other aquatic insects, some of the larger nymphs attack tadpoles and small fish.

The adult dragonfly is a formidable hunting insect. Incredibly agile, it uses the basket formed by its legs to catch insects on the fly. It eats mainly mosquitoes, midges, and other small flying insects.