The Mythology of the Dragonfly
Dragonflies are the hawks of the insect world. Cruising ponds and streams at speeds of upwards of 40 miles per hour, dragonflies has keen eyesight that allows them to spot and snatch smaller insects out of the air. Once referrered to as the "Devil's Darning Needle," it does not, however, sew up lips and ears, as folklore would tell. They are harmless to humans. Many birdwatchers have added dragonfly watching to their repertoire, particularly during the summer months.
A good place to see dragonflies is the Clarion River. WPC partnered with Carnegie Museum of Natural History to conduct a study of the river's dragonflies in 1993 for the U. S. Forest Service.
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