![]() They are expert fliers, with the ability to hover, and fly backwards as well as forwards, and have excellent vision, with two large eyes and three small eyes, called ocelli. Other info: Dragonflies catch their prey by forming a basket of their spiny front and middle legs. Large populations are found in the Blue Mountains, the Nightcap Range and the Wingecarribee Swamp in New South Wales, and Stradbroke Island in Queensland. Where: Gigantea (also called the South-eastern Petaltail) and a closely related species, Petalura litorea (Coastal Petaltail), can be found from Nadgee in south New South Wales to Yeppoon, near Rockhampton in Queensland. When: Adults emerge October to November until late January So much so that US actress Jessica Biel was prevented from taking a dash across bogs in the Blue Mountains in the Hollywood movie Stealth to avoid disturbing the dragonflies' habitat. "They rely on drainage patterns and it's quite easy to disturb them," she said. ![]() Once threatened by peat mining, the giant dragonflies' last stand has finally achieved recognition as an endangered ecological community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1994.Īccording to Humane Society International's Wildlife and Habitat program manager Nicola Benyon, the peat bogs where the giant dragonflies live are intrinsically vulnerable. But the Wingecarribee Swamp population of the type species, P. ![]() At least four species of giant dragonfly live in Australia, one in the rainforests of north Queensland, one in swamplands near Perth, and two in south-eastern Australia. Dinosaurs came and went, while petalurids dispersed over much of the world. Giant dragonfly (petalurids) have been around for at least 190 million years. gigantea lives most of its life on land, rather than in water. While it's a still a midget compared to the giant dragonflies that lived alongside the dinosaurs, it's far bigger than most of the brightly coloured dragonflies we see skimming above fishponds in the backyard. It has a wingspan of up to 11 centimetres (males) or 13 centimetres (females). gigantea grows at least 10 centimetres in length. It's the last of the giant dragonfly's summer, and it may well be the last days for this remarkable ancient species. In a lonely sphagnum swamp near Moss Vale in New South Wales, a prehistoric creature will spend the next few weeks flying around and laying its eggs. Australia is home to at least four of these giant species, and the swampland home of one of the most well known giant dragonflies, Petalura gigantea, is finally being protected. Although they can be as tiny as 15 millimetres today, there are still vestiges of swamplands where giants survive. In prehistoric times, dragonflies had wingspans of up to 70 centimetres. Part of the order Odonata, which also includes damselflies, these unique fliers have been on Earth for around 300 million years. Living fossils, dragonflies are some of the most ancient of that ancient animal, the insect. (Source: Caroline K Dearson, Sydney Catchment Authority) Main image: Dragonfly larva.The Petalura giganta, grow at least 10 centimentres in length. A pair of pincers at its tip grab the prey and draw it into the mouth, where it is swifty chewed by the powerful serrated mandibles that give Odonata their name – ‘toothed jaw’.ĭo you have a wildlife question you’d like answered? Email your question to or post it to Q&A, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Immediate Media Company, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST. This lethal appendage can fully extend in as little as 15 milliseconds, giving the victim no time to react. Internal hydraulic pressure – created by contraction of the abdominal muscles and closure of the anal valve – releases this mechanism and allows the labium to fire. When lunch approaches, it engages its labium – a specialised prehensile structure unique to this group that is folded up beneath the head when at rest and held in place using a locking mechanism. Though they will chase down their prey, they are particularly well adapted to ambush hunting.Īn individual lies in wait, using its excellent eyesight and sensitive, hair-like structures on its legs and antennae, known as mechanoreceptors, to detect a passing meal. Dragon and damselfly larvae are fierce predators.
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