Blue Dasher - female (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Feature
The Flying Dragons
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
The Dragonflies of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum Text and Photos by Preston Cox, BTA Horticulturist Specialist, Retail Nursery
Flying
dragons are things of myth and legend. Whether real or not, they have fascinated humankind for millennia. Legendary tales of dragons come from all over Europe and Asia. Famous battles such as St. George’s fight leave us in awe. Did they really happen? Did dragons really exist? We may never know. What we do know is that people today are no less fascinated by tales of dragons than they were in the past. Movies, kid’s shows, books, figurines and more can be found in abundance, all highlighting dragons. While dragons may be mythical, there is a creature that bears the name that is very real, and no less fascinating—the dragonfly. There are no fewer myths and legends about dragonflies than dragons themselves. For instance, depending on the culture, seeing a dragonfly could mean good fortune and your wish will come true, or it may bring bad luck and
12 | Boyce Thompson Arboretum | Fall 2019
Dragonfly merchandise available in the gift shop
