Like all insects and creatures, a dragonfly plays a vital role in the planet's ecosystem.
Dragonflies are especially important because their lives affect both water and land ecosystems.
Dragonfly eggs are laid on or near water, so when they hatch, the nymphs are able to not only breath underwater but also to propel themselves through it. This allows them to feed on the organisms that also live underwater such as mosquito larvae (which can be harmful to humans).
This occurs for one to five years until the nymph becomes a fully grown dragonfly.
An adult dragonfly contributes to the environment in two ways. Firstly by eating insects from the air to stop over population of certain species, similar to the nymph.
Secondly the dragonfly is prey to other creatures such as birds and frogs, playing a vital role in the food chain.
Interestingly, scientists also use dragonflies as an indication to how healthy a water ecosystem is. As dragonflies are low in the food chain, studying their numbers can quickly reveal a water systems health.
The presence of a dragon fly is also an indicator of fresh water.
A secondary consequence of the nymphs eating mosquito larvae is that because of the reduced amount of mosquitoes, less harmful pesticides will be used. Not only this, but the spread of disease by mosquito will also be reduced.
