Ontario’s Incredible Dragonflies

Did you know that there are more than 140 species, or unique types, of dragonflies in Ontario?

eastern pondhawk dragonfly
Eastern pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis) © Noah Cole

Each species of dragonfly requires a specific environment for it’s habitat. Some dragonflies prefer ponds, others prefer lakes, some dragonflies require slow-moving streams, others prefer fast-moving streams, and yet others prefer marshes. Ontario is also home to one of the world’s most rare dragonflies, Hine’s Emerald dragonfly. Dragonflies are also our friends because they eat small winged insects as a main staple of their diet, so there are fewer mosquitoes because of them. What kind of dragonflies live in your area?

http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8017&news_iv_ctrl=0&abbr=on_ncc_

http://www.wincom.net/~prairie/odonata.html

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.

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