Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting People? 5 Critical Things to Know

Let’s be honest, many people have a strong distaste for insects. However, there are a handful of them that the general public is more readily accepting of. Butterflies, ladybugs, bumble bees, and inchworms are some of the most adorable of all, and many people welcome their presence in their gardens. Although they might not be as popular, dragonflies are another insect many see as a good omen. Some people think that a visit from one can mean that a lost loved one is nearby, while others interpret their presence as an omen of good luck. While these insects aren’t known to attack humans, you might be wondering if they’re safe to be around. Let’s explore whether or not dragonflies are capable of biting or stinging and discuss other critical facts about these insects.

Dragonflies: A Brief Overview

Although many people think of these creatures as elegant and beautiful, the truth is that dragonflies are the apex predators of the insect world. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that this insect has a shocking 95% success rate when hunting for prey. But why is this? According to the Willistown Conservation Trust, “The secret to their success lies in the many unique adaptations they have accumulated throughout their evolution, including aspects of their eyesight and flight.” There are roughly 3,000 species of dragonflies across the globe, and they are native to every continent besides Antarctica.

Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting?

Dragonflies are fearsome predators of many insects, so some humans might be worried about them biting or stinging. Many of you will be thrilled to learn that dragonflies don’t possess stingers and therefore aren’t capable of stinging humans. However, dragonflies can bite, but this experience is relatively rare. While these insects might be fearless in some aspects, many are smart enough to know when they’re outmatched. Because of this, avoiding contact entirely will be their first line of defense. However, if you catch one and refuse to let it go, it will have no choice but to bite. Dragonflies will only bite humans as a last-ditch effort if they feel extremely scared or threatened. Their bite contains no venom and many people report that the pain is entirely manageable.

What Should You Do if You’re Bit by a Dragonfly?

Because the bite of a dragonfly is nothing more than surface damage, individuals who get bit have little to worry about. Bigger dragonflies might be able to penetrate the skin and draw blood. However, this is uncommon as many dragonflies have small teeth that won’t break the skin at all. If you or someone you know gets bit, simply clean the site with alcohol and use a band-aid if necessary. Individuals who get bit don’t need to seek any sort of professional medical treatment for dragonfly bites.

5 Critical Things to Know about Dragonflies

1. Catching a Dragonfly Is Incredibly Difficult

While catching butterflies and grasshoppers comes with relative ease, catching a dragonfly is a challenge. These insects are some of the best fliers in the world and evading capture is one of their strong suits. Capturing a dragonfly will increase your odds of receiving a bite.

2. Having Dragonflies in Your Garden Serves as a Natural Form of Pest Control

Dragonflies eat a variety of insects, and several of them could be considered garden pests. For example, mosquitos and midges are dragonfly favorites. Having dragonflies around will help keep their populations under control.

3. Dragonflies Don’t Have Stingers, Even if It Might Look Like It

While dragonflies might seem like they have stingers, this simply isn’t the case. Dragonflies attack and immobilize their prey using only their teeth.

4. Dragonflies Might Be Small, but They Are Very Tough

In addition to being formidable predators, some dragonflies complete migrations that span thousands of miles. In particular, the globe skimmer dragonfly travels from India to Africa each year enduring an arduous journey that encompasses over 11,000 miles.

5. Dragonflies Are Not Dangerous to Be Around at All

In addition to being harmless to humans, dragonflies pose no threat to house pets either. They produce no venom, carry no diseases, and prefer to be left alone. The only creatures who really need to worry about these insects are the insects they prey on.

Final Thoughts

In essence, humans need not worry about dragonflies attacking anytime soon. These insects don’t have the capability to sting, and they only bite if they’re under extreme duress. Next time you see one fly nearby, take it as a positive sign. These insects are far more interested in hunting for food and staying out of danger than anything else.