Summer Dragonfly Workshop features shimmering sightings, surprises.
“Positively brilliant!” What a perfect way to describe dragonflies (order Odonata), an amazing insect that holds many surprises. It’s NOT a fly, for starters. From their glittering colors to incredibly fierce jaws, dragonflies fascinate bug buffs of all ages. So intriguing is this winged wonder that the Texas Discovery Gardens is hosting a Dragonfly Workshop on July 30.
It is a chance to study dragonflies up close and personal, learning about their habits, habitats and feats of fancy. “A lot of people who are interested in butterflies are now getting excited about dragonflies,” says Bonnie Bradshaw, Public Relations Coordinator for Texas Discovery Gardens. “Besides having jewel-like colors, the dragonfly is similar in that it also undergoes metamorphosis.”
The Texas Discovery Garden’s native wildlife pond and Leonhardt Lagoon are teeming with dragonflies. Workshop participants can observe more than 20 dazzling species (there are over 5,000 species identified in the world) with such amusing names as the Flame Skimmer, Halloween Pennant, Hyacinth Glider and Orange Shadowdragon. “Omar Bocanegra, biologist and instructor for the workshop, has a keen eye for even the tiniest dragonflies,” notes Ms. Bradshaw. “He can even spot dragonflies going through metamorphosis in front of your very eyes.”
Besides learning the differences between dragonflies and damselflies, you’ll also come away with some very interesting knowledge. For example, dragonflies are a nonchemical way to get rid of mosquitoes, with an appetite for up to 600 mosquitoes a day! And maybe you didn’t know that dragonflies scoop up their prey while flying, ripping pieces off and chewing as they go.
For all the drama on dragonflies, experience the Dragonfly Workshop at Texas Discovery Gardens on July 30.
Visit the Texas Discovery Gardens web site for more information.
