What value do dragonflies have, and what is the function of their tails?
The dragonfly is also called dingding, diandenger, malang, fuliao, zhusheng, shayang, shanmi, guangguangting. It is a relatively common insect in rural areas and also a beneficial insect. It likes to appear in humid places, has strong flying ability, and is good at preying on some pests. Now let us take a look at what value dragonflies have and what function their tails have.
1. What value do dragonflies have?
1. Medicinal value
The dragonfly is an animal medicinal material commonly used among the people, with effects such as tonifying the kidney, strengthening yin, and relieving cough. These related records all appear in ancient books. Common medicinal species of dragonflies include red dragonfly, yellow dragonfly, Anax parthenope, summer red dragonfly, brown-shouldered gray dragonfly, and giant round-rump dragonfly.
2. Edible value
The nymphs and pupae of some species of dragonflies have very high nutritional value and can be supplied for human consumption. Generally, this kind of edible dragonfly only appears in specific regions or restaurants. Although the protein content of red dragonflies is very high, many people do not dare to try it easily. The common edible dragonflies in China are the red dragonfly, Cercion calamorum, horned arrow dragonfly, Anax parthenope, white-tailed gray dragonfly, black different-colored gray dragonfly, yellow dragonfly, and large yellow red dragonfly.
3. Bionics
The bionic camera is a familiar type of photo aircraft, capable of taking several thousand repeated photos at once, and it was made according to the compound eye structure of the dragonfly. The dragonfly's eyes are round and bulging, occupying a large part of the head. They are very large, but still look very harmonious. Each eye of the dragonfly is made up of countless “small eyes,” and these “small eyes” are all connected to photoreceptor cells and nerves, allowing it to distinguish the size and shape of objects very clearly. It is an insect with very good eyesight. The dragonfly's eyes are also very flexible, and it can look up, down, forward, and backward without turning its head, which is very magical.
4. Other value
Dragonflies can serve as indicator organisms for heavy metal pollution in water bodies, because their nymphs have a certain enrichment capacity for the heavy metals cadmium and mercury, and the heavy metal content in their bodies increases as the heavy metal content in the water body increases.
The dragonfly is also an insect with very high ornamental value. Its colors are brilliant, and when it rests on the tip of a lotus leaf it looks just like a painting, very beautiful. But everyone should not casually catch them, as it will cause them certain harm.
2. What function does the dragonfly's tail have?
The dragonfly is a very ancient insect, and its tail plays a role in maintaining body balance when the dragonfly flies. The dragonfly's tail plays a role in mating during reproduction. We often mention the phrase “dragonfly skimming the water,” but in fact the main reason the dragonfly's tail makes the skimming-the-water motion is to lay eggs in the water. That is, when the dragonfly flies, it uses its tail to touch the water surface and discharge yellow eggs.