Manuel Chiacchiararelli

Mind-blowing facts and legends about dragonflies

There are uncertainties about the derivation of the name dragonfly: for some, it derives from the Latin “libellum”, which means free; for others, it derives from the Latin “libra”, that is, scales, due to the position it assumes while flying.

Often considered a magical insect for its gracefulness, speed and elegance in flight, the dragonfly is also an animal with many mind-blowing facts and legends to be explored and told. Let’s see some of them:

• Despite the six legs, the dragonfly cannot walk. The legs are used, however, to capture prey.
• It can fly at fifty kilometres per hour and independently move the front and rear wings to control and measure power, energy expenditure and speed.
• It has a relatively large head compared to other insects, and the eyes are formed by over 30,000 tiny hexagonal facets, each of which has its lens and retina, allowing it to have a 360-degree view.
• It breathes from the anus.
• It can live from six months to six or seven years.
• In Japan, the dragonfly is very popular, so much so that it was also engraved in samurai armor as a symbol of power, agility and victory.
• For Native Americans, on the other hand, it symbolises happiness, speed and purity.
• It is considered by many to be a symbol of transformation and rebirth. 
• The presence of the dragonfly in streams and rivers indicates the excellent condition of the waters in which it is found.

I have to admit it, I don’t know exactly which species this dragonfly that I managed to photograph in Sweden belongs to, whether it is Calopteryx Virgo or Splendens (or maybe both) as, as often happens, the differences are minimal.

I just know that its sparkling electric blue has caught my eye. And it allowed me to discover another masterpiece of Mother Nature and all the mind-blowing facts and legends of this beautiful animal.

If you love nature and are fond of fauna and birdlife, inerro.land offers guided tours, trekking and workshops to help you discover the wonders of the wildest areas of southern Sweden.

For info, reach me: inerro@inerro.land / +46737490909 (also whatsapp).

La mia attrezzatura / My gear: Nikon D750 / Nikon D500 / Obiettivo Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 / GoPro 7 Hero black / Gimbal Neewer / Rollei Tripod C6i Carbon + Rode VideoMicro