In the UK, you can also catch dragonflies. There are many myths and legends about dragonflies, and many common nicknames. The UK’s dragonflies were once called Horse-Stingers because of their habit of curling up their abdomens, and people often saw them flying around horses in fields. It was assumed that they were stinging the horses, but this was not true. Many species of dragonfly live only a couple of weeks in the adult stage. The majority of dragonflies die quickly, usually from accident, or starvation.
In prehistoric times, dragonflies were among the largest flying insects on Earth. The largest dragonfly, the Permian Meganeuropsis permiana, had a 70-75 cm wing span. In fossils, you can find dragonflies with wingspans of up to 60cm – this is five times the length of the largest living species in the UK. Small species are much slower, but even medium-sized dragonflies can keep up with the bigger ones.
The adult dragonfly of the UK can reach up to 120 mm. This is the largest species and the most common in the UK. The larger species, like the Brown Hawker and Emperor, can also feed on small fish. The larvae are prey for fish, birds, and other water invertebrates. Dragonfly larvae are often eaten by Kingfishers and other aquatic species. The larvae of dragonflies are edible to fish and can make a fantastic meal.