Author Topic: attacked by a dragonfly...... (Read 3277 times)

tinkster · « **on:** June 01, 2009, 02:37:14 PM »

I have wined and moaned cause yall had drgonflies and I didnt. Welll.. I have one this year.. I have no clue what kind.. its big, probably 5" long or maybe bigger... black and it attacks everything it sees. It charges my little doxie and hits him in the butt. IT loves the back of my hair and always hits at full speed and its pretty scarey. Are all dragonflies this mean and how do I get rid of it. We cant even enjoy being out there its that aggressive.

tink

tranquility · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:24:42 PM »

OMG Tink I think you may have a rabid dragonfly....I have NEVER had any attack anything....infact they spend most of their time either mating or laying eggs.....
Lawanna

reddad35 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:28:22 PM »

I got tickled over this one. Are you sure it wasn't a Blue Jay? I don't think you could even find a dragon flay swatter if you wanted one. I am with Lawanna on the rabid fly idea.

LeeAnne151 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:41:55 PM »

No worries, it will be dead soon. :'( The adults only live long enough to breed.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2009, 04:03:45 PM »

Maybe you wish for one so much that Mother Nature sent the mother of all dragonflies

Next time wish for pretty ones only.

turtlemike · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:07:19 PM »

I have LOTS of dragonflies. I've never seen any thing like that.

Reedman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:16:58 PM »

Do you have a Jurassic Park dragonfly down there?

Julles · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:19:49 PM »

Well, find the little guy a mate! That should keep him occupied.

Then, if LeeAnn is correct, your worries will be over quite shortly thereafter.

Kat · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:37:53 PM »

They zoom around my ponds but have never attacked.

knight7453 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2009, 06:02:12 PM »

Wow…I’ve only had pleasant experiences with dragonflies. I especially like Blue Darts.
I have never seen them attack anything other then other bugs.

Freddie Peepers · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2009, 06:13:58 PM »

I was told the average life span of a dragonfly is 24 hours

tootsie · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2009, 06:30:07 PM »

HMMMMMMM, sounds as tho you have encountered the PITT BULL OF THE DRAGON FLY SPECIES? I just love watching them zoom around the pond

A few years ago, one got stuck in one of the rose of sharon trees, so naturally I ran to it's rescue, then began talking softly to it, LOLOL, I think the sun was really, really, hot that day

frogman3 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2009, 08:39:04 PM »

Carpenter bees act like that but they look nothing like a dragon fly more like an almost black bumble bee.

Desertponder · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2009, 08:53:20 AM »

I've never had a dragonfly bite or attack. Can't say I've ever had one even close to 5 inches in size either.
My one dog must have gotten into a nest of the in the grass once because they came out swarming like bees and apparently they must have been nipping him and he started yelping and ran for the house.

And by they way.........he's a pit bull.

Bullfrog · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2009, 09:31:51 AM »

He likes you Tink... and it is sprin, well, late spring anyway.

Rad Michelle · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2009, 11:02:42 AM »

hahahah dude i died laughing when i read this post. like. tears.

. but on a lighter note. this is the kinda dragonfly that hangs with me.

Bullfrog · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2009, 12:15:32 PM »

This just in... a kentucky woman was attacked in her own back yard yesterday by a large, aggressive Dragon Fly. It repeatedly struck her in the back of the head and was last seen fleeing the scene to the northwest. Citizens are advised not to try to apprehend this insect and to consider it dangerous. Rumors are running rampant about a new strain of rabies that has migrated into the insect world. The Center for Disease Control is warning everyone to stay inside and tape polyethlene sheeting over all doors and windows as well as to barricade off any open fireplaces. Do not pick up andy apparently sick or dead insects until this matter is resolved.

GarryT · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2009, 12:26:32 PM »

It sounds like you have a fairly aggressive species. We have a large variety of dragonflies here in Manitoba, Canada, one of the largest being the "Dragon Hunter" - hagenius brevistylus which has a range all the way south of here to Virginia. Possibly this could be your terror of the skies. I've seen them take down large insects including butterflies and other smaller dragonflies! I don't think you have anything to fear other than the feel of their pointy little feet when they land on you ...harmless in my experience. They have a reported 2 -3 week life span so he (she?) may be around for a while.

MikeW · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2009, 12:38:21 PM »

Mine are all blue or orange - and never seem to leave the pond.

I did have a hummingbird try to take an eye out a number of years ago - took me years to relax around them again1

Cheers,

Mike

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2009, 05:40:55 PM »

Garry that dragonfly has the looks of a wasp! Now that is scary. Like Mike we only get the small blue and green, and large orange ones.

Very funny Bullfrog. Can you imagine if this post got out there and the CDC rated it code red (or whatever they say to make it real important) everyone can get panicked again.

aravenschild · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2009, 06:21:46 PM »

I may be from the show me state (Missouri), but I almost believe her..............

We had huge dragonflys (up to 4 inches long with a five inch wing span) don't know the species, but they had black bodies and clear, black laced wings. They would show up out of no where, about August (the closest pond being about 5 miles away), and dozens would circle around the front yard for a hour or two before night fall. This would last a week or so, and then they would all disappear until the next year.
I lived at that farm for eight years and they never failed to show up, and though I never saw one attack anything larger then themselves, if they flew into you (which sometimes happen) they would either bounce off and go their merry way or hold on (which felt like they were biteing) for a few minutes then take off again..........

tinkster · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:50:39 PM »

I am trying to get a picture of it for yall. But am afraid of it now that it might be rabid. I went to the city pond today to see their pond and fish and seen tons of dragon flies and they are not half the size of this one. They were pretty.. This one is big and ugly and they do live more than 24 hours cause it starting its attack on my doxie almost a week ago now. IT also does not seem to care about the pond. It likes to get inside my screened porch and perch on screen. wish me luck in getting the picture!

tink

bunny56lbc · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2009, 08:01:18 PM »

Only 1 ! Maybe he's upset because he doesn't have a mate ?

bonnie

There's several around here ,but I've never seen them attack anything or anyone .

maryvonne · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2009, 09:56:35 PM »

We have lots of dragonflies of all colours at our ponds and have never been attacked by any of them. That's very strange!
Hope you get some friendly ones. They are pretty cool!

Bullfrog · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2009, 04:45:27 AM »

Theres not a nuclear waste dump facility nearby is there? This might be a mutant dragonfly.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2009, 11:34:43 AM »

Hey Tink, try searching at "bug guide" . You may find your dragonfly there...I'll bet it's a common green darner or shadow darner. I had one a few months back I found floating dead in the pond. It was HUGE!! Your dragonfly isn't rabid...just frustrated.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740

Rocmon · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2009, 03:30:02 PM »

Maybe it ingested to many African killer bees, or cross bred with them? Lets see video tape.... please please please

marla · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2009, 06:46:31 PM »

, sorry for laughing tink, but I can just picture it and boy after my day at work this was a laugh I needed, and the comments on this post have been just as great. I have never had an attack one, have lots of them and they all seem very well mannered.

purplepshn2004 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2009, 08:22:16 PM »

Joy,

I feel for you and hope you figure it out!

But, I just can't get over what bullfrog said!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonya

tinkster · « **Reply #29 on:** June 03, 2009, 08:49:12 PM »

yall are to funny! When you find I have been carried away by this huge ugly thing you will be sorry you made fun of me.. probably not huh!

Oh if I can only get a picture of this thing so yall can eat crow....hehehe

tink