Blue Dasher Dragonfly

This small but very accomplished hunter was taking a short break from dining on the tiny winged things flying over our pond. They have amazing eyesight and lightening-fast reflexes and are able to consume hundreds of mosquitoes a day. Dragonflies have two sets of wings that function independently, allowing them to change direction in midair and catch 95% of their prey! They are the world's fastest insects, flying at speeds up to 38 mph! Fossil records indicate that dragonflies have been hunting insects at least 100 million years before dinosaurs roamed the planet. 
The presence of dragonflies is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Sadly though, their populations are decreasing worldwide because of wetland destruction, global warming and the continued use of pesticides. m