Ecosystem maintenance at work

Wetlands Dragonfly

Wetlands Dragonfly 14Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day

The wetlands display at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island is home to a variety of dragonflies, including the blue darner, the green darner, and the eastern amberwing. These beautiful insects are an important part of the wetland ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and pollinate plants.

The blue darner is one of the largest dragonflies in North America, with a wingspan of up to 7 inches. It is a bright blue color with black markings, and it can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. The green darner is similar in size to the blue darner, but it is a more muted green color. It is also found in a variety of wetland habitats, but it prefers slower-moving water. The eastern amberwing is a smaller dragonfly, with a wingspan of only about 3 inches. It is a golden-brown color with amber markings, and it is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including bogs, marshes, and swamps.

Dragonflies are an important part of the wetland ecosystem because they help to control insect populations. They are also pollinators, which means they help to spread pollen from flower to flower. Dragonflies are also preyed upon by birds, fish, and other animals, which helps to keep these populations in check. The best time to see dragonflies in Rhode Island is during the summer months, when they are most active.

Here are some additional facts about dragonflies:

• There are over 5,000 species of dragonflies in the world.
• Dragonflies can fly up to 30 miles per hour.
• Dragonflies can live for up to 2 years.
• Dragonflies play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants.

Wetlands Dragonfly 01Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 02Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 03Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 04Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 05Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 06Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 07Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 08Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 09Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 10Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 11Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 12Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 13Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 14Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day Wetlands Dragonfly 15Dragonfly in the wetlands area of Roger Williams Park Zoo on a sunny day

Note: This is written with the help of my high school-aged son, Jonathan, who spends his summers (and other times of the year) working with the campers in Roger Williams Park Zoo "ZooCamp" program. 
 

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