Dragonflies outlived dinosaurs

THE British Trust for Ornithology’s Garden BirdWatch survey isn’t only about birds. 

Participants monitor other creatures, such as insects, as well. The results, this year, have revealed unusual emergence patterns among dragonflies. While some of these glamorous insects appeared on their usual dates this summer, others were weeks late getting airborne. Bad weather has been blamed.

Dragonflies and damselflies are among the most ancient creatures alive today. Evolving more than 350m years ago, their ancestors witnessed the arrival of the dinosaurs and survived the global catastrophe which put an end to the giant reptiles’ 140m-year reign.