GIANT DRAGONFLY

Giant Dragonflies serve to remind us of the giant fossil insects which are now extinct. Some of these early fossils closely resemble modern representatives of this order. The largest insect known, was a prehistoric dragonfly, Meganeura monyi, which lived about 280,000,000 years ago, and had a wingspan of up to 70 cm.

Giant African Dragonfly, Anax tristis, Order Odonata

The giant African Dragonfly Anax tristis has a wingspan exceeding 133 mm and a body length greater than 110mm. It occurs in eastern Zimbabwe. Very little is known about its behaviour, except that it is a very fast flier. This would be an interesting insect to study for a school project! The largest Dragonfly in South Africa is probably Anax speratus Hagen, which may have a wingspan greater than 120mm.

Most dragonflies have aquatic larvae, usually called nymphs. They are able to use oxygen that is dissolved in the water. Dragonfly nymphs are predators of other aquatic insects and small vertebrates such as small tadpoles and fish. They in turn are preyed on by larger fish and aquatic frogs like Xenopus.

A specimen of Anax speratus in the Transvaal Museum collection.