How Do Dragonflies Reproduce? A Detailed Explanation of Their Reproductive Process

Dragonflies are a common insect by riversides in summer. They are diverse in species and are beneficial insects, capable of preying on large numbers of pests such as mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, moths and bees. So how do dragonflies reproduce?

1. How do dragonflies reproduce?

When dragonflies reach sexual maturity, they fly to mating sites such as ponds and rivers where they can lay eggs. The males arrive at the mating sites earlier, occupy a certain position along the riverbank or water surface, and defend their territory like birds, driving away other intruding males. If a female flies near or into this territory, the male attempts to mate with her. A few species perform courtship displays before mating.

2. Why do dragonflies skim over water?

A dragonfly skimming the water surface is actually a dragonfly laying eggs, either directly into the water or on aquatic plants. The nymphs that hatch from the eggs are called naiads. Naiads often extend their hooked lower lip with claw-like hooks to catch small aquatic animals for food. Naiads are expert swimmers, using jet propulsion: as soon as the abdomen compresses, water is ejected backward, and the body naturally shoots forward at extremely high speed, breathing through rectal tracheal gills. When a naiad grows up, it climbs onto a branch or stone protruding above the water surface and emerges as an adult dragonfly, like a flying dragon in the air.

“Dragonfly skimming the water” refers to the action of a dragonfly lightly touching the water surface with its tail while flying over it, and is a metaphor for doing things superficially and without depth. “Dragonfly skimming the water” and “looking at flowers while riding a horse” can both be used as metaphors for work or experiencing life without much depth, and are often interchangeable. However, the emphasis of the former is on “skimming”, meaning doing things by “passing over lightly” and “without depth or persistence”, while the emphasis of “looking at flowers while riding a horse” is on “looking”.

3. The origin of the phrase “dragonfly skimming the water”

During the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang, Li Heng, Du Fu became an eighth-rank remonstrance official, “Left Reminder”. Because he spoke up for a minister who should not have been blamed, he was estranged by Li Heng. He felt very depressed and went to the banks of the Qujiang River to write poetry and relax. In one of his poems, “Two Poems on the Qujiang River”, he wrote: “Butterflies threading through flowers are seen deep within, dragonflies skimming the water fly slowly. I send word that spring light flows on together; enjoy it for a while and do not go against it.”