In this part of Southern France we are blessed with an abundance of dragonflies. The river Tech with its slow flowing stream and myriad pools and meanders provides a good breeding ground for dragonflies and their cousins damselflies. Damselflies tend to be daintier than dragonflies, a lot smaller and have eyes widely separated. Both species that prefer still waters breed in the adjacent ponds and lakes.
It is amazing how the males and females can differ so much. The males are often bright and colourful, patrolling their territories in search of food and females. The females, in contrast, tend to lurk in bushes and are often hard to find.
The life of a dragonfly can start off with up to three years under water, where they eat small insects and sometimes small fish and even each other. It will then emerge, shed its hard skin (exuvia) and after a few hours hardening off spread its wings and spend the last few months of its life as a flying insect. They are one of the few species that can hover and fly backwards, forwards and sideways.
They are predators, eating small insects, and are predated by birds and spiders.
It is amazing how the males and females can differ so much. The males are often bright and colourful, patrolling their territories in search of food and females. The females, in contrast, tend to lurk in bushes and are often hard to find.
The life of a dragonfly can start off with up to three years under water, where they eat small insects and sometimes small fish and even each other. It will then emerge, shed its hard skin (exuvia) and after a few hours hardening off spread its wings and spend the last few months of its life as a flying insect. They are one of the few species that can hover and fly backwards, forwards and sideways.
They are predators, eating small insects, and are predated by birds and spiders.
Dragonflies
Damselflies
