The insect that is commonly have it off as the Devil darn needle is the dragonfly . skeeter hawk belong to the suborder Anisoptera and are also referred to as darner or devil ’s arrow . With approximately 3,000 species worldwide , these aeriform marauder can be found near freshwater habitats in various parts of the humanity .

Dragonflies have always charm me with their singular and mesmerizing appearing . Their elongate bodies , big chemical compound eyes , and intricate wings make them a captivating sight in any garden or landscape painting . As a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I have often number across sewing needle while work on task near water body or create natural habitats for beneficial worm .

The name “ devil ’s darning needle ” is quite intriguing and evocative . It conjures up images of a mythical creature , but in reality , snake doctor are harmless to humans . They get this name due to their long , slender bodies that resemble sewing needles and their fleet and flash flying pattern , which cue some people of acerate leaf apace moving in and out of fabric .

Dragonflies are unbelievable airy acrobat . They have four transparent wings that admit them to vibrate , wing backward , and shift direction with remarkable agility . I vividly think a special example while exploit on a garden near a pond where I discover a devil’s darning needle graciously hovering over a water lily . Its iridescent wings shimmer in the sunlight , creating a magical display of vividness .

One gripping aspect of dragonflies is their predatory nature . They are skilled huntsman and provender on a variety of insects , including mosquitoes , fly sheet , and even small-scale dragonfly . This make them valuable allies in controlling insect populations in garden and landscape . I have often witnessed dragonflies swooping down and enchant mosquito in mid - air , serving as a lifelike form of pestilence restraint .

mosquito hawk also undergo a fascinating life cycle . They start out their lives as aquatic nymph , living in piss body such as ponds , lake , or streams . These nymph are rapacious predators themselves , preying on modest aquatic organism like tadpole and mosquito larvae . After a period of emergence and development , the nymph come forth from the water as adult dragonflies .

During the emergence process , I have meet dragonfly exuviae , which are the plaster cast - off exoskeletons left behind by the nymph . These exuviae are delicate and intricate , resemble the shape of the snake doctor but miss color and life . It is an incredible sight to see the transformation from an aquatic tool to a beautiful fly adult .

Dragonflies are also love for their hit coloring material and figure . From vibrant vapors and greens to fiery red and oranges , their bodies are adorn with an regalia of hue . This visual spectacle adds a touch of instinctive looker to any garden or landscape painting . I recall a garden I design where we contain a small pool surrounded by coloured blossom , draw a various range of dragonfly that added a captivating element to the quad .

The insect ordinarily advert to as the Devil darning phonograph needle is the devil’s darning needle . With their aery prowess , predatory nature , and captivating appearing , dragonflies have always held a special home in my spunk as a horticulture and landscaping expert . Their comportment in a garden or landscape not only adds aesthetic value but also serve as a admonisher of the intricate and interrelated vane of nature .

Caroline Bates