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It's wonderful to see so many gardeners embracing wildlife-friendly practices these days! What was once a less common interest has really taken off, and you'll find tips for nature-loving gardens everywhere. While it's natural to focus on the creatures we readily see as helpful (like bees and ladybirds) or simply beautiful (think butterflies and songbirds), there's a whole world of fascinating wildlife in our gardens just waiting to be appreciated.
Take dragonflies and damselflies, for example. Some gardeners might not see them as particularly "useful," and their bold appearance can even seem a bit intimidating at first glance. Their quick, darting flights might give the impression of aggression, perhaps making them seem like less desirable garden guests. I have to admit, I was absolutely petrified of dragonflies as a child! My brothers convinced me they had razor-sharp teeth and would bite, so as soon as I spotted one you could often find me running for my life whenever we were near a river or pond. Now, as an adult, it's quite the opposite - I can't wait for them to arrive in my garden each year. Often, the first sign they're back is the distinct whirring sound of their wings. However, if we take a closer look at these incredible insects, also known by the old-fashioned (and slightly spooky!) name "Devil's Darning Needle," we'll discover they play a really important and beneficial role in our gardens. Plus, their natural beauty and graceful flight are truly something to admire!
Did you know that around forty different species of these amazing insects, belonging to the order Odonata, call the UK home for breeding? And we even get extra visitors each year as they migrate! While some species have very specific habitat needs, like the boggy ponds of moorlands or slow-moving rivers, others are surprisingly adaptable and can quickly find their way to new ponds in both towns and the countryside.
Adult dragonflies and damselflies have amazing eyesight, thanks to their big, multifaceted eyes. This helps them spot both their insect prey and new water spots where they can lay their eggs. They're also equipped with strong jaws and clever legs that they use to catch insects in mid-air, often taking their meal to a favourite perch to enjoy.
While dragonflies and damselflies hunt in similar ways, telling them apart can be a bit tricky. You might have heard that damselflies are always smaller, but that's not always the case! A good clue to look for is how they hold their wings when they're resting. Most damselflies fold their wings neatly along their bodies, while dragonflies keep their wings spread out to the sides. Identifying the exact species can be challenging, especially since they're such speedy fliers! Catching one still long enough for a good look isn't easy, so a little digital camera can be a handy tool if you're keen to learn more. A good identification guide will be a great help, pointing out key features like the colours of their body, eyes, and legs, as well as the patterns on their wings. Just like with butterflies, the time of year and where you see them can offer clues, although the fact that males, females, and newly emerged adults of the same species can look quite different can add a bit of fun (or confusion!) to the process. But if you've mastered butterfly identification, you'll likely find these fascinating insects aren't too daunting. For many of us, though, simply enjoying their presence in the garden and understanding a little about their lives is enough!
Creating a welcoming environment for dragonflies and damselflies can be so rewarding. Of course, water is essential if you'd like them to set up home and breed, but even if you don't have a pond, they might still pop by to hunt if there's a good breeding spot nearby. Areas of longer grass are often used for hunting, so if a pond isn't for you, a little meadow area could still attract a few different species. The main thing is to have plenty of small, flying insects for them to eat, which is often the case in gardens managed without harsh chemicals, where you'll naturally have a good mix of flies, wasps, and even the occasional butterfly.
If you already have a pond, you might have spotted the rather fierce-looking dragonfly larvae lurking in the mud at the bottom. These amazing creatures can spend several years in this stage, depending on the species, feeding on all sorts of pond life like tadpoles, small fish, and snails. When they're big enough and the weather is warm, they'll move to shallow water to get ready for their final transformation. Unlike butterflies and moths, they go straight from larva to winged adult without a pupa stage. They climb out of the water using plant stems like rushes and reeds and shed their old skin to reveal the beautiful insect inside. These young dragonflies, called tenerals, are often pale at first, and their true colours will develop other the next few days as they mature. They mate in flight, and you might see the females dipping their tails into the water as they lay their eggs.
Making your garden attractive to dragonflies and damselflies is actually quite simple. Any pond that has a good mix of plants, especially oxygenating and emergent plants like sturdy rushes and reeds, will make a great breeding spot for several species. While bigger dragonflies, like the impressive Emperor Dragonfly, prefer larger ponds with deeper areas, smaller ones, such as the very common Large Red Damselfly, will happily settle into a small, new garden pond. Often, the Broad-bodied Chaser is one of the first to arrive in a new water feature - a lovely dragonfly with a broad, flattened body, quite different from the traditional "Devil's Darning Needle" image. The males are a beautiful pale blue, while the females are yellow. They often perch out in the open, giving you a chance to get a good look as they wait for prey. Taller plants like purple loosestrife around your wildlife pond are perfect perches for their hunting. Another early visitor to garden ponds is the Southern Hawker, which has a more classic dragonfly shape - a long, slender body with colourful stripes (black and green for males, brown and green for females). It's a fairly large insect, about 7cm long with a 10cm wingspan, and you might see it quickly flying back and forth across the garden as it hunts.
Beyond simply enjoying these wonderful insects, there are lots of easy ways we can lend them a helping hand, whether it's in our own gardens, in our local community, at school, or in nearby wild spaces. Here are a few simple things you can do to support dragon flies:
Creating a pond: Adding any area of water, whether it's still or gently flowing, to your garden is a fantastic way to attract dragonflies and other water-loving creatures right to your doorstep. It doesn't need to be a huge project! You can even use a large plant pot saucer, a bird bath, or an old sink. Just fill it with water and pop some rocks that stick out just above the surface - these will provide perfect landing spots for dragonflies and other insects. It's a good idea to put your water feature in a shady spot, as really warm water can be harmful to many small water creatures. If you have trees or shrubs nearby, try to keep them mostly to the north side of the pond, and choose small-leaved native species as their leaves will break down more easily.
Creating a wetland or bog garden: If you already have a pond, you can make the area around it even better for wetland creatures by planting native freshwater or wetland plants. Some lovely examples include Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris), Water Avens (Geum Rivale), and Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris).
By taking these simple steps, we can all play a part in helping these captivating and ecologically important insects thrive, making our gardens even more vibrant and full of life!
Please Note: I'm an enthusiastic gardener and wildlife observer, learning through hands-on experience and personal observation. While I love sharing my journey and the things I discover, please understand that I am not a qualified expert or professional in wildlife.
The information shared on this blog reflects my own experiences and should not be taken as professional advice. What works for me in my garden and local environment may not be suitable for yours.
I am always eager to learn and improve! If you happen to notice any inaccuracies or have additional insights to share, please feel free to contact me.
Happy gardening and wildlife watching!
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