One of the most popular species at Wildlife Wonders is the bejeweled and dazzling dragonfly. Loved for its symbolic meaning and vibrant, unique coloring, the dragonfly has been a favorite of painters, sculptors, artists, and jewelers for hundreds of years.
The name "dragonfly" comes from the fact that these "hunters of the sky" resemble the legendary reptiles in shape and action. Dragonflies have been around for longer than many other insects.
Fossils of dragonfly ancestors, Protodonata, have been found dating back 325 million years. Protodonata were gigantic compared to the modern dragonfly, and had wingspans up to 30 inches.
An adult dragonfly has compound eyes and typically their bodies have a brilliant iridescent or metallic color scheme created by structural coloration, which makes them conspicuous in flight.