Dragonflies are large, fast-flying insects commonly seen near ponds, lakes, and streams, the same habitats many salamanders call home. Their long bodies and strong wings might make you wonder if salamanders can catch and eat them.
The short answer is yes, but rarely. Salamanders do eat dragonflies, especially the young, slow, or injured ones. However, adult dragonflies are usually too fast and strong to be common prey.
Salamanders’ Hunting Style and Dragonflies
Salamanders hunt primarily by sight and movement. They rely on stealth, patience, and quick strikes to capture small, slow-moving prey such as worms, insects, and larvae.
Adult dragonflies are remarkable flyers with strong wings and rapid reflexes that help them evade many predators, including salamanders.
Their swift, unpredictable flight makes it difficult for a salamander to catch them. Most adult dragonflies can sense danger early and escape quickly.
However, salamanders have a better chance at the aquatic immature stage of dragonflies, called nymphs.
Dragonfly nymphs live underwater and move slowly, making them easier targets. They are a common and important food source for many aquatic salamander species.
Dragonfly Nymphs Are An Important Food Source for Aquatic Salamanders
Dragonfly nymphs spend months or even years underwater before emerging as adult dragonflies.
During this stage, they have soft bodies and slow movements, which make them ideal prey for salamanders living in aquatic habitats such as ponds, lakes, and streams.
Many species of aquatic salamanders, such as spotted salamanders, hellbenders, and other water-dwelling salamanders, rely on dragonfly nymphs as a natural part of their diet.
These nymphs are rich in protein and moisture, essential nutrients that help salamanders grow and maintain their health.
The availability of dragonfly nymphs can influence salamander populations, especially in clean, healthy aquatic ecosystems where both species thrive.
Can Salamanders Catch Adult Dragonflies?
Adult dragonflies spend most of their time flying, hunting other insects in mid-air. They rarely land for extended periods, and when they do, they remain alert and ready to escape.
Terrestrial salamanders, which move slowly across the ground or under leaf litter, usually find it challenging to catch adult dragonflies.
Their hunting method favors slow or stationary prey rather than fast-moving fliers.
However, if an adult dragonfly is injured, trapped, or resting on a low surface such as a rock or plant stem, a salamander may take advantage and seize the opportunity to capture it.
Despite this occasional success, adult dragonflies remain a rare food source for most salamanders due to their speed and agility.
Do Salamanders Eat Dragonfly Eggs?
Dragonfly eggs are usually laid on water surfaces or on aquatic plants near water bodies. These eggs are tiny, often microscopic, and not a typical food item for salamanders.
Salamanders tend to target larger prey they can see and capture easily. The effort required to find and consume dragonfly eggs is generally not worth it, especially when other more substantial food sources are available.
As a result, dragonfly eggs do not play a significant role in salamander diets.
Feeding Salamanders Dragonflies in Captivity
Feeding adult dragonflies to salamanders in captivity is uncommon and not recommended. Adult dragonflies are difficult to catch, maintain, and keep as feeder insects.
Their flight and behavior make them unsuitable for captive feeding routines.
Instead, aquatic larvae or other commercially available feeder insects such as crickets, earthworms, or bloodworms are preferable and easier to provide.
Dragonfly nymphs, if available, can be offered occasionally to mimic the salamander’s natural diet. However, sourcing and maintaining these nymphs in captivity can be challenging.
For most salamander keepers, feeding a varied diet of accessible feeder insects ensures proper nutrition and health.
Why Dragonflies Are Not a Common Salamander Food Source
The main reason salamanders rarely eat adult dragonflies is their hunting style. Salamanders depend on slow or stationary prey that they can ambush with quick strikes.
The speed, flight agility, and vigilance of adult dragonflies make them hard to catch.
Moreover, terrestrial salamanders usually hunt on land or near the water’s edge, where dragonflies are mostly airborne or resting high on vegetation.
Aquatic salamanders benefit more from the nymph stage of dragonflies since they share the same habitat and the nymphs move slowly enough to be captured.
In short, the life stage, habitat, and behavior of dragonflies determine their availability as prey for salamanders.
Conclusion
Salamanders do eat dragonflies, but mostly in their nymph stage when the insects are aquatic, soft-bodied, and slow-moving. These nymphs provide rich nutrition and are a natural food source for many aquatic salamanders.
Adult dragonflies, with their speed and strong flight, are rarely caught or eaten by salamanders. Terrestrial salamanders find it especially difficult to capture these fast-flying insects.
Dragonfly eggs are too small to be targeted by salamanders and do not form a meaningful part of their diet.
In captivity, feeding adult dragonflies to salamanders is not practical. Instead, commercially available feeder insects and aquatic larvae are recommended to provide balanced nutrition.
By understanding salamanders’ hunting behavior and diet preferences, keepers can offer appropriate food that supports their health and mimics their natural feeding habits.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.