Dragon Flys by the dozens

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Gourdbeader San Antonio, TX(Zone 8a) Oct 02, 2003

Can anyone tell me what makes dragon flys swarm to one area. My garden has a swarm of dragon flys today. Are they good or bad for the garden. I've also seen three large Praying mantis today. My yard is the only one with all these Dragon Flys? Strange Huh?

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frogsrus San Diego, CA(Zone 10a) Oct 03, 2003

I have a pair that have adopted my yard. Big red ones. They chase hummingbirds for sport. It is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. They also run off the small blue dragonflies. I have a creek nearby which acounts for mine. We leave stakes for them to sit on after the tall flowers die off.

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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Oct 03, 2003

Dragon flies are GOOD! You want these guys around. They will eat ants, aphids, etc. in your yard. Praying mantis are good, too. They eat similar small insects. Usually dragonflies like water nearby. And it seems that they like to have little branches or stems to land and perch on so they can bask in the sun. They are cold blooded and depend on the warmth from the sun to keep them warm enough so they can fly.

Post #668365
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Gourdbeader San Antonio, TX(Zone 8a) Oct 03, 2003

Thanks butterflygardner. I have notice so many of them the past few days. I have lots of tall plants, shrubs, and climbing roses for them to perch on. We, above all else, have lots of sunshine. I knew that the praying mantis was good but wasn't sure about the dragonflys.
Thanks for the info.
Jan

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DoW_Oldman St. Petersburg, FL(Zone 10b) Nov 16, 2003

"Praying mantis are good, too"

Sorry but mantis is not as good as one might think. It eats the good guys as well as the bad.

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scooterbug Tellico Plains, TN(Zone 7b) Nov 16, 2003

I agree with Olds
§

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dogbane New Orleans, LA(Zone 9a) Nov 17, 2003

I'd like to mention that dragonflies also prey on butterflies. In nature, nothing is easily placed as 'good' or 'bad'. Well, okay, there may be a few things that are truly bad, but you get my point

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Kelli L.A. (Canoga Park), CA(Zone 10a) Dec 12, 2003

Dragonflies also eat mosquitoes, or so it is said.

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Agrinerd Franklin, NC(Zone 6b) Dec 18, 2003

Wasps and Hornets fit into the same category. They're fantastic predators that can really clean up on caterpillars, but the drawbacks of having them around is obvious.

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