By Lindy Clubb

We've all looked up to watch helicopters in the sky but how often have we noticed the helicopters of the insect world in the air around and below us? Dragonflies and damselflies make up the order Odanata, an ancient and distinctive group of insects. I've admired their acrobatics over my country garden many times, but I didn't know much about them.

They have primitive features, like general chewing mouthparts, but they also have specialized adaptations to help them fly and catch prey. Yes, dragonflies, like their mythical counterparts, are predators, minus the fire breathing. They can spot flying prey - mosquitoes and deerflies - and plot a course to intercept them from 20 meters away. They have been clocked at speeds more than 50 kph and can make a 90-degree turn at full speed without banking. Indeed, they may not match the wing beat speed of other insects (some reach 1000 times per second) but their mobility and precision more than make up for that. Their vision is also spectacular. Their eyes have up to 25,000 lenses affording them close to a 360-degree range.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer Photo © Jim Duncan

Manitoba is home to all sorts of different dragonfly species and more are being found each year thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Manitoba Dragonfly survey, organized by Dr. Jim Duncan of Manitoba Conservation. "Since the dragonfly monitoring has been in place, 11 species have been documented for the first time, bringing the total found in Manitoba to 94. They include black tipped darners and cobra clubtails," Duncan said.

I intend to capture and identify some of them this summer on the Riding Mountain escarpment and in the beautiful Duck Mountains. They merit a closer look.

The Manitoba dragonfly survey is a pilot project of the Wildlife and Ecosystem Branch in Manitoba Conservation. The department is following in the successful footsteps of a Minnesota Citizen's Guide, offer a very complete package of information for a citizen's survey.

What's the survey all about? Dragonflies are an indicator species for assessing habitat and water quality in a variety of wetlands, riparian forests, and lakeshore habitats around the globe. Citizen and school groups, teachers, nature societies and individual volunteers have been recruited for monitoring projects that contribute data and specimens to a scientific network.

Four-spotted Skimmer Photo © Jim Duncan

In turn, the collections result in atlases and field guides, and contributes to an international database. Not bad for four trips per season to a collection site that you set up somewhere interesting. As well, the surveys provide information for ecological studies and specimens for taxonomic studies.

You may discover broadwinged, spreadwinged or pond damselflies, darners, clubtails, cruisers, emeralds or skimmers among the dragonfly members, and such intriguing possibilities as identifying ruby meadowhawks, chalkfronted corporals, wandering gliders, blue dashers, ebony boghaunters, boreal snaketails, or paddle tailed darners. Who could resist? The intense curiosity our scientists (and our children) have to learn more about these gorgeous winged predators is contagious. I've been monitoring frogs in my area for several years, so I'm expanding, now. Many thanks to the department, who reached out to the public so that we can all learn together. Since the dragonflies prey on mosquitoes and deerflies, those awful pests of both humans and wildlife, it seems like a good investment to monitor their range, their abundance and the security of their future. And, of course, protecting the habitat that supports such beneficial insects is essential.

Get Involved!

If you’re interested in helping learn more about distribution the dragonflies and damselflies in Manitoba, Call or write to:

Jim Duncan
Wildlife Branch, Manitoba Conservation
Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent,
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3,
(204) 945-7465
email jduncan@gov.mb.ca.