INTRODUCTION

Dragonflies are an integral part of the Kansas summer landscape, whether at the water where they mate and lay their eggs or in the sunny fields and pathways where they astonish us with their flying skills. Folk names such as "devil's darning needle" tend to keep us at arm's length from these lovely animals, but their savagery as insect predators belies their harmlessness to us. They can at worst deliver a mild pinch when held in the hand -and it is in the hand where the incomparable metallic sheen of the Illinois River Cruiser's emerald eyes or the bold black and white pattern of the Checkered Setwing can be best admired.

Dragonflies are aquatic for most of their lives, hatching from eggs laid in the water or in plant tissue. They live from one to three years in the water as nymphs and go through 10-12stages or "instars", molting their skin and growing larger each time. A unique feature of dragonfly nymphs is their hinged and hooked lower "lip", which can be extended beyond the head to seize prey. The mature nymph eventually climbs out of the water and, in a process that takes an hour or two, emerges as a winged adult. The new or "teneral" adult flies away from the water for a time, to mature and get ready for the short final phase of it's life: mating and egg laying.

Dragonfly males are the only insects that possess accessory genitalia (on the underside of the second abdominal segment) in addition to a genital opening on the ninth segment. Appendages on the tip of the male's abdomen are used to clasp the female by the thorax or the back of the head. The male then turns his abdomen under and deposits sperm into his secondary genitalia. The female brings the tip of her abdomen into contact with the male's second segment, forming the characteristic copulatory "wheel" or "heart" formation. In some species oviposition occurs in tandem, with the male still holding the female by the head. In other cases the female lays eggs alone, but may be guarded from other males by her mate.

Some dragonflies are able to physiologically control the temperature of their bodies by shunting the flow of haemolymph from head to thorax or abdomen. Others use perching location or style to behaviorally regulate temperature. Dragonflies are visually-oriented, with huge eyes that help them to track prey and find mates. They are also among the best insect fliers. Each wing is under direct muscular control which provides them with extreme maneuverability. They can hover and even fly backwards. Their ability to capture flying prey on the wing and to avoid predation by birds is impressive to watch. You will enjoy getting to know and appreciate these fascinating creatures.