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The Dragonflies and Damselflies you see on the bogs may look beautiful and delicate - but don't be deceived! They are really smart and are some of the fiercest predators around. Their larvae terrorise other tiny tots in the ponds for up to three years, eating anything that crosses their path. When they become adults they take to the air, where they catch other flying insects. Of course, they themselves can become prey to birds such as the skylark.

Here's some of the features that make them so successful:

Great Eye Sight - Giant eyes cover most of the dragonfly's head enabling a dragonfly to spot its prey from almost 20m distance away.

Super Flier - Each wing can move without the others. This allows the dragonfly to hover, dart backwards, make 90 degree turns and come to an instant stop. Unlike their close relatives, the damselflies, dragonflies cannot fold their wings when they are resting. Instead they hold their wings out flat.

Dragonfly

Spiky Legs - Rows of spikes on each leg help the dragonfly to hold on to slippery surfaces and keep a grip on its food. The legs are right at the front of the body, just behind the mouth. This makes it easy to grasp things but difficult to walk.

Fast Food - Dragonflies hold their legs forward like a net to scoop up gnats and other flying insects. Dragonflies usually munch their meals while in flight. Their jaws, called mandibles are sharp and pointed to tear their food apart.

Bendy Body - The long, narrow part of the body, called the abdomen helps the dragonfly to keep its balance as it skims over the bog. The colourful abdomen is made up of many strong segments. Joints between the segments allow the dragonfly to bend easily. This is important when the dragonfly is mating or laying eggs.