Insect_Bhutan

Who knows? May be I’m the real princess that can break the spell.

In European folklore, it is said that a prince was once transformed into a dragonfly by a witch. He could only return to his human form if he found a woman who loved him enough to kiss him. With my true eagerness and excitement to see the face of my lost prince, I have been following dragonflies from my early childhood. I kissed you thousand times out of curiosity but you never turned into human Prince charming I have long awaited. Though you never turned into prince, watching you fills me with an indescribable joy and happiness.

Uff… please ignore my childish thoughts. To share some important information about they are carnivorous insects that feed on other insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths. They catch their prey mid-flight and are very efficient at hunting, consuming up to their body weight insects in just 30 minutes. The role of dragonflies as predators is essential in keeping the population of other insects in check, preventing the overpopulation of harmful insects and maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

Dragonflies play an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, because they have a significant impact on mosquitoes population management, dragonflies aid in lowering the risk of contracting diseases spread by some mosquito species, including West Nile virus, malaria, and dog heart-worms.(Source; Dragonfly Bites, Life Span, Migration, Environmental Benefits by Deborah Weatherspoon).

How many of you mistook this particular insect for a dragonfly or damselfly?

I always thought, it was a dragonfly when I was a child. Funny to see my roommate refer to it as a dragonfly even after tons of explanations.🫣🫣

This actually enthused me to write something about this creature and solve the confusion.Hehe!!!

Really, this is an antlion. About 2,000 different insect species make up the neuropteran family Myrmeleontidae, which includes the antlions. Its larvae, which typically dig pits to snare ants or other passing prey, are known for their predatory behavior.(source:Wikipedia)

I find it fascinating to see the antlion transform into a lovely fly. The fascinating secrets that insects possess have always piqued my attention and driven me to want to learn more 💚🤍