Friends of Big Swamp
  • About
    • Friends of Big Swamp
    • Big Swamp
  • FLORA & FAUNA
    • Flora
    • Birds of Big Swamp >
      • Black Swan
      • Great Crested Grebe
      • New Holland Honeyeater
      • Musk Duck
      • Red Capped Parrot (or King Parrot)
      • Splendid Fairy Wren
      • Yellow Billed Spoonbill
    • Fauna >
      • Dragonflies and Damselflies >
        • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
    • Vermin Species and Management
    • Wildcare and Injured Animals
  • Location & Maps
  • Projects & Research
    • Bird Count
    • Water Balance Project 2016
    • Big Swamp Interpretive Loop Walk 2017
    • Field Survey of Flora and Fauna 2007
    • Weed Management 2007 - present
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Supporters and Links
  • Regular Activities
  • Calendar

Dragonflies and Damselflies

A few hundred million years ago, in the Paleozoic Era, huge Dragonflies and Damselflies with a wing span of about 2 metres roamed the earth. They have survived and evolved through the millions of years retaining some of their beautiful, robust features and tremendous hunting skills to this day. Out of about 5000 species worldwide, some species that are unique to South West WA and not found anywhere else in the world, live and breed in the Big Swamp.

Although they seem to have intricately delicate wings, Dragons and Damsels are strong fliers and have a sturdy build. They have a carnivorous diet, consisting of smaller insects. They are avid hunters. They do not harm humans and don't interact with us much. The larval stages of dragons and damsels voraciously feed on mosquito larvae and are considered beneficial for natural control of mosquitos. Water is an important part of their life. Their lifecycle and most of their life depends on water, hence The Big Swamp is an ideal place to spot many species of dragons and damsels.
Picture
Tau Emerald Dragonfly
Picture
Wandering Ringtail Damselfly
​Difference between dragons and damsels

Dragonflies are larger in size than damselflies. Dragons spread their wings apart when they rest and damsels fold their wings at rest. Dragons have two large compound eyes, covering most of their heads and three small simple eyes on the top their heads. 

Lifecycle

Dragons and damsels show some amount of sexual dimorphism, meaning the males look different to females. Males are more colourful than females. They have an unusual mating ritual. The male and female form a 'mating wheel' and fly in the wheel position. After fertilisation, the female flies over the water and lays eggs into the water. The eggs become larvae and live in that stage for months to years. The larvae hatch into adult insects in summer, which is the best time to see them. 


Common Dragonflies found in Big Swamp
  • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
  • Tau Emerald Dragonfly
  • Australian Emerald Dragonfly
  • Scarlet Percher
  • Australian Emperor
  • Blue Spotted Hawker
  • Wandering Percher

Common Damselflies found in Big Swamp
  • South Western Billabongfly
  • Red And Blue River Damsel
  • Aurora Bluetail Damselfly
  • Wandering Ringtail
  • Western Ringtail
  • Slender Ringtail
Picture

Submit
​Prince Philip Dr, South Bunbury WA 6230

Contact Us

friendsofbigswamp@mail.com
We would like to acknowledge the photographs supplied by David Addy, Terri Sharp, Bunbury Museum, Tom Brightwell, Maurice Colley, King Cottage Museum, Carol Strang.
Website by CloudStoke Media
  • About
    • Friends of Big Swamp
    • Big Swamp
  • FLORA & FAUNA
    • Flora
    • Birds of Big Swamp >
      • Black Swan
      • Great Crested Grebe
      • New Holland Honeyeater
      • Musk Duck
      • Red Capped Parrot (or King Parrot)
      • Splendid Fairy Wren
      • Yellow Billed Spoonbill
    • Fauna >
      • Dragonflies and Damselflies >
        • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
    • Vermin Species and Management
    • Wildcare and Injured Animals
  • Location & Maps
  • Projects & Research
    • Bird Count
    • Water Balance Project 2016
    • Big Swamp Interpretive Loop Walk 2017
    • Field Survey of Flora and Fauna 2007
    • Weed Management 2007 - present
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • Supporters and Links
  • Regular Activities
  • Calendar