Can dragonflies sting?
The fascinating dragonflies impress, often near the water, with the large compound eyes, the elongated abdomen and the enormous ability to fly at up to 50 kilometers per hour. The questions remain: Can dragonflies sting and is the dragonfly dangerous?
Can dragonflies sting?
There are small and large dragonfly species in different colors with iridescent shells. If they come closer, this has a frightening effect on many. The larger dragonflies are particularly threatening. These include the blue-green mermaid, which is up to eight centimeters long and has a wingspan of up to 1.10 metres. It is said that dragonflies can sting and bite. But is the dragonfly dangerous?
One thing in advance: dragonflies are not dangerous!
Whether big or small, dragonflies are harmless to us humans because they don't sting, bite or attack us. The question of whether the dragonfly is dangerous or poisonous can also be answered in the negative. Dragonflies do not have venom glands and do not inject toxic substances with their mouthparts.
How to behave correctly when a dragonfly approaches?
You don't need to protect yourself from dragonfly attacks. Basically, the good-natured insects a friendly but shy disposition. Dragonflies can bite, but it doesn't hurt. It feels like a pinch. It mostly only happens when you catch the dragonfly with your hand. There is no reason to threaten the insects. If you don't threaten dragonflies, you won't get bitten.
What's the deal with the "spike"?
What is often called a "thorn" is a ovipositor. The female dragonflies use this to scratch plant material for reproduction purposes and sink the egg into the plant parts. The bur is blunt and cannot penetrate the skin. The pseudo-spine cannot be compared to a needle. This way, the flying artists do not sting and they are also harmless to pets. Dragonflies also do not use the ovipositor as a defense spike.
Exciting knowledge about the dragonfly
The daring aerial acrobats hunt for other flying insects and mosquito larvae. With just one bite, they can mosquitoes, Fly and kill moths. Dragonflies mate in flight, abruptly change direction, loop, and some species can fly backwards. The very flexible flying insects are able to move the pairs of wings independently of each other. This enables the spectacular flight technique of the harmless dragonflies.
If you take a closer look at the cockchafers, they are actually very pretty beetles. Still fear...
The questions, can dragonflies sting and are they poisonous, can both be answered in the negative. This makes the fascinating insects harmless and beautiful to look at.