Melissa Stewart - Zoom in on Dragonflies

Take a Close Look!

Have you ever seen a dragonfly up close? What does it look like? How does it eat? What is its life cycle? When you check out the "Zoom Bubbles" on every spread of this book, you will get an up-close peek at this insect's body, eyes, antennae, wings, and more!

"THIS SERIES IS A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO THE INSECT WORLD, HIGHLIGHTING APPEALING AND FAMILIAR EXAMPLES."

"YOUNG READERS WHO LIKE FLYING AND CRAWLING INSECTS WILL LOVE THESE INFORMATION-PACKED BOOKS!"

About the Author

Trained as both a scientist and journalist, Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for young readers. While gathering information for her books, Melissa has explored tropical forests in Costa Rica, gone on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and swum with sea lions in the Galpagos Islands.

antennae (an TEN ee) Two long, thin body parts on the head of insects and some other animals. Antennae help animals sense the world around them.

claspers (KLAS puhrz)The two body parts a male dragonfly uses to grab a female while they mate.

nymph (NIMF)The second part in the life cycle of some insects. A nymph changes into an adult.

prey (PRAY)An animal that is hunted for food.

Dragonflies have lived on Earth for millions of years. You can find them near most ponds and streams. In places where winter is cold, some dragonflies fly to warmer areas.

A dragonfly is an insect. An insect has six legs. Its body has three parts.

An insects head is in the front. The thorax is in the middle. The abdomen is the part at the back.

Dragonflies have two sets of wings. They can fly as fast as a car drives on the highway.

Dodge! Dart!

Whiz! Whirl!

The long, tough wings carry the insect through the air.

A dragonfly eats small flying insects. It catches its meaty meals in the air. Then it pops them into its mouth. A dragonfly chews its prey with its strong jaws.

A dragonfly has six legs. They are attached to the middle of its body.

The insect flies with its legs bunched together. The legs form a basket that scoops up prey.

This dragonfly has just caught a bee.

A dragonfly has two huge eyes. They are the best eyes in the insect world.

The eyes can see right and left, up and down, all at the same time! They help the hungry hunter spot flying prey.

Can you see this dragonflys antennae? They are tiny. And they dont do much. They cant feel or hear or taste. They can smell things, but not very well.

When a male dragonfly spots a female, he grabs her. He uses claspers on the back of his body. The two insects lock their bodies and fly through the air. This is how they mate.

When a dragonfly comes out of its egg, it has no wings. Its body is short. The nymph has to live in the water for two or three years. Then it crawls onto land. It sheds its skin and becomes an adult.

This nymph is shedding its skin.