Mysteries of the Dragonflies with Judy Gallagher

Enter the mysterious world of the Dragonfly! These decisive flyers don’t flit about like butterflies. They’re hunters, feeding on insects like mosquitos and flies. They’re also hunted - prey for birds, spiders, and fish.

Before they emerge as adults for us to watch with delight, they begin their life cycle underwater and rely on clean water for their survival. When we see dragonflies, we’re seeing more than a colorful insect, we’re seeing a healthy ecosystem.

In this video, Judy Gallagher shares stories and spectacular photos of dragonflies and damselflies, what makes them so cool, and how they’re dependent on water quality.

00:00 Welcome
03:53 Judy's Intro
07:15 Lifecyle of the Drangonfly and Damselfly
17:40 Common Dragonflies and Damselflies in Prince William County, VA
28:05 Threats to Odonates
40:00 Q&A and Discussion