You are here: Home » Products » Dragonfly

Dragonfly

High relief minting with holographic print on the relief

The conservation status of 165 Mediterranean species of dragonflies occurring in the Mediterranean basin was assessed, according to the IUCN regional Red Listing criteria. It identifies species that are threatened with extinction at regional level so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. Almost a fifth (19%) of the dragonfly species occurring in the Mediterranean region are threatened. Adult dragonflies have two pair of wings. The back, or hind, wings are slightly larger at the base than the front wings. Dragonflies do not fold their wings when they land. Their wings extend from their body even when they are resting. Dragonflies are predators throughout their life and consume a myriad of animals. On the menu are insects, including pests such as flies and mosquitoes. For this reason dragonflies are considered beneficial to man.
Adult dragonflies deposit their eggs in water or on aquatic plants. When the eggs hatch, the immature dragonflies, called naiads, live in the water. The naiads have gills in their abdomen so they can breathe under water. They also use the gills for a form of “jet propulsion” so they can move around in the water. Naiads eat mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects. Large naiads can even eat tadpoles and small fish.
When it is time for the naiad to change into an adult dragonfly, it crawls out of the water. Its skin splits and the adult emerges. This process takes several hours and it usually happens at night. After their wings are dry, the adult dragonflies fly away to find food. They return to the water to mate and lay eggs. The male dragonflies hover over the water and are often territorial about the breeding site.

 

Specifications

Images