Dragonflies or Tutubi: Nature’s Dazzling Flyers and Ecological Guardians

Dragonflies, known as tutubi in the Philippines, are among the most captivating insects in the natural world. With their shimmering wings, vibrant colors—ranging from blues and greens to reds, sometimes accented with black and brown stripes—and incredible flying skills, dragonflies captivate both seasoned entomologists and casual observers alike. But there’s more to these fascinating creatures than meets the eye.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of dragonflies, exploring their unique biology and the role they play to maintain ecological balance.

Built for Speed: Nature’s Agile Flyers

Dragonflies are the epitome of aerial agility. Their elongated bodies make them resemble jets, darting overhead as you enjoy a warm, sunny morning in your garden. These insects are built for speed, and their design is suited for agile movements.

Tutubis’ wings which are composed of a network of veins and membranes --- are especially designed for structural support and in the transportation of the insect’s blood. Their wings appear delicate to me, but they have a certain feature that helps absorb stress during their flight and prevents excessive bending --- called corrugation. So they are not exactly delicate, it just feels like it!!

Another notable aspect of the tutubi’s wings is the wing beat frequency. From a published article by Parkhi, T. (October 2022, Dragonfly Wing: The Structure and Mechanical Properties Explained), “Dragonflies can beat up to 30 times per second which is too fast for the human eye to capture.”

The Power of Vision

Another striking feature of a dragonfly is its large compound eyes, which cover most of its head. Imagine how much they can see with that complex eyes they have? These eyes are observed to be made up of thousands of individual lenses called ommatidia which provides nearly 360-degree vision. This exceptional eyesight allows dragonflies to detect the slightest movement also making them efficient and fearsome hunters.

·       Discover Dragonfly Vision: 360º Views and Beyond (mashpilodge.com)

Masterful Hunters

Dragonflies are equipped with specialized legs that are perfectly adapted for capturing prey. While in flight, they form a “basket” with their legs, expertly scooping up insects like mosquitoes and flies mid-air. This hunting technique, combined with their remarkable speed and agility, makes dragonflies some of nature’s most effective predators.

The dragonfly legs are characterized as segmented legs (coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, and tarsus), and these legs are covered with spines and bristles which help in hunting prey.

Beautiful Predators

Dragonfly colors are produced by natural pigments like melanin (black and brown), carotenoids (yellow, orange, and red), and pterins (white and yellow). In addition to these pigments, dragonflies exhibit structural colors that can change with the angle of light, creating beautiful shimmering effects.

Interestingly, these colors can change throughout their life stages and with the seasons. These changes help dragonflies blend into their aquatic habitats, avoid predators, attract mates, and regulate their body temperature.

Ecological Importance

Beyond their beauty and agility, dragonflies play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. As predators of smaller insects, they help control populations of pests like mosquitoes, contributing to a healthier environment.

Pest Control - Dragonflies are natural predators of common pests like mosquitoes and flies, playing a crucial role in pest control. In the Philippines, where dengue fever is a recurring threat, this role is especially significant. The country has been facing a yearly struggle to combat dengue, and recent data from the Department of Health (DOH) highlights a concerning trend. From January 1 to August 13, 2024, there have been approximately 136,000 dengue cases, marking a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.

Several environmental groups and advocates recognize dragonflies as natural pest control. There are certain efforts such as:

· Habitat Creation - communities are encouraged to create suitable habitats, such as wetlands and ponds where dragonflies can thrive

· Public Awareness - these include educating communities about the benefits of dragonflies and how to attract them 

Garden Tips to Attract Dragonflies

o   include a water feature in your garden --- ponds or small wetlands are recommended but if you cannot do that, it’s sufficient to just put logs, stones and or flatrocks-- - these will serve as their perching spot

o   create windbreakers --- Dragonflies seek out tall grasses and shrubs for shelter, which not only provide them with a safe haven but also act as natural windbreakers, protecting them from strong winds.

o   maintain a natural environment that attracts dragonflies --- an artificial setting, where aspects like water quality, temperature, light conditions, and vegetation are different from the natural habitat, dragonflies might struggle to survive, hunt, and reproduce.

Indicator Species - Since dragonflies spend much of their life in water, they are highly sensitive to changes in water quality and for the whole health of the aquatic ecosystem. This makes dragonflies important for environmental scientists and an excellent focus of study for future entomologists.

·       Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has launched the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP) to track mercury levels in national parks across the United States. This innovative project collaborates with citizen scientists and uses dragonfly larvae as bioindicators to measure mercury exposure in fish and other wildlife. By analyzing these larvae, researchers can gain valuable insights into mercury contamination across various ecosystems.

The findings are intriguing: dragonfly larvae show a strong correlation with mercury levels in fish and amphibians. In essence, high mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae often indicate similar exposure levels in other wildlife. This method is not only cost-effective but also practical, given the widespread distribution, abundance, and relatively long lifespan of dragonflies.

In conclusion, dragonflies, or tutubi, are far more than just beautiful insects. Their impressive flying skills, remarkable vision, and vibrant colors are a testament to their evolutionary prowess. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, dragonflies play a vital role in our ecosystems, from controlling pest populations to serving as bioindicators.

Their presence in our gardens and natural habitats not only enriches our environment but also underscores their importance in maintaining ecological balance. By understanding and appreciating these fascinating creatures, we can contribute to their conservation and enhance our own environment.

Thank you for joining us on this journey into the world of dragonflies. If you’re inspired to learn more or attract these amazing insects to your garden, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. What do you think about dragonfly larvae as bioindicators of mercury pollution? It is intriguing right? Don’t forget to explore our related articles and resources to delve deeper into the wonders of our nature’s dazzling flyers.