Dragonflies in the Garden: More Than Mosquito Hunters

People often say a dragonfly can eat 100 mosquitoes a day, and while that number can vary, the basic idea is true: dragonflies are excellent mosquito predators. Some adults may eat dozens of mosquitoes in a day, and in good hunting conditions they can eat even more. Their aquatic young (called nymphs or naiads) also hunt mosquito larvae in water, so dragonflies help at both life stages.

But the mosquito story is only part of why dragonflies are so valuable in a yard or garden.

Dragonflies have other important roles in a garden

1) They help control many pest insects, not just mosquitoes

Dragonflies are fast, visual hunters. In addition to mosquitoes, they commonly eat:

• gnats
• midges
• flies
• small moths
• other soft-bodied flying insects

This means they help reduce general insect pressure in the garden, especially around water features, damp areas, or lush plantings.

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