docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I'll wind up this series with some predation I witnessed while photographing the other 4 parts of the series. Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are predators in both stages of their life. The larvae eat whatever small aquatic life they can find. This includes other aquatic insect larvae (midges, mosquitos, damselflies, beetles, etc.) as well as small fish, tadpoles, aquatic worms, and even other dragonfly larvae. Thus in a fishless pond they would be considered an apex predator.
As adults, dragonflies eat just about anything they can catch while on the wing. Mosquitoes, gnats, flies, flying ants, swarming termites, mayflies, midges, butterflies (even big swallowtails), damselflies, other dragonflies, or just about anything they can catch.
Even in just a small area, populations of matchstick-sized damselflies that whiz around, consume hundreds and thousands of insects. In their short lifetime one can consume about 2 pounds of insects.
Dragonflies and damselflies are also cannibalistic. As I showed in the one set, the Dragonhunter will eat other dragonflies. I even have a picture of one that has a hummingbird on the ground by the neck. Not sure what he thinks he will do with it. I have other photos from Costa Rica showing a damselfly eating another damsel of its own species.
Here are four photos from the Florida survey demonstrating this.
A female Eastern Pondhawk eating a Blue Dasher dragonfly

Eastern Pondhawk(Erythemis simplicicollis ) F w/ Blue Dasher by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Another Eastern Pondhawk with a Powdered Dancer damselfly

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) F and a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

An Eastern Amberwing with a midge

Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) F by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

And an Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis) with a Powdered Dancer

Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis) with a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

I hope you've enjoyed the series.
>i< Doc

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Great captures. Have really enjoyed your multi-series. Mahalo for sharing.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

They are outstanding my friend. Thanks for sharing.Hope you had a nice July 4th.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Dramatic and informative set, Doc! Thanks again for sharing your work.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

What a great set, Doc. Looking forward to the next set.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Mahalo nui loa JoAnne. So glad you enjoyed them. Just got back from Kauai las week. Still trying to sake the jet lag.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for the fine comment Stan. Glad you enjoyed the series. I had an amazing 4th and I hope you did too!
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I love sharing and looking at everyones work here on the Hog Family. I'm just concerned that I my get a little to wordy with the narratives. Of course you can ignore it and just peruse the pictures. Thanks so much for looking in and commenting.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks Ken. Are you seeing many Odes down there? I'd love to get back down there to the Kisatchie N F someday.
>i< Doc

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks so much for looking in Rick.
>i< Doc

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set Doc.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

These are great, Doc. Hope the mosquitos didn't get you!

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I appreciate your comment Jim. It was a great survey and I got to visit with my hunting partner and his wife who I hadn’t seen in about 20 months. We had 5 dragonfly trips cancelled last year and this year. This trip was a real bonus getting to see them and so many new species to photograph. Thales care my friend.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for the fine comment Carol. I was surprised that the mosquitoes were nowhere to be found the entire survey. The heat and humidity on the other hand were present day and night. I figured I’d better do it some day if I wanted to shoot those species. Stay safe and well my friend. >i< Doc