Dragonflies have three stage life cycles. The adults lay eggs which hatch into nymphs which live within the freshwater environments. The nymphs are ugly in appearance and are often quite flat on their undersides. They have the large eyes typical of the adults and their abdomen is slightly diamond-shaped.
Dragonflies like to live near slow-moving freshwater, such as lakes and ponds. The young nymphs develop under the water, and the adults fly above it.
They have a strange lower jaw or ‘mask’ which can extend to catch passing prey. The nymph sits very still and then grasps the passing prey with its jaws. The mask has hooks along its edge which helps the nymph grab the prey.
Carnivore: Like adult dragonflies the nymphs are fierce hunters eating all sorts of pond animals such as tadpoles, pond snail eggs, water fleas, bloodworms and even small fish.
Unfortunately there are lots of pressures being placed on the freshwater habitats of the National Park. When drinking water is taken from the rivers this reduces their flow and has an impact on the plants and animals that can survive in the river. Other threats come from pollution as well as the recreational pressures of fishing and boating.
Why not make a garden pond and attract pond animals into your garden! Several kinds of dragonflies like to lay eggs in ponds.