dragonflies
Four-winged pond insects
Dragonflies is the plural of dragonfly, a large flying insect with an elongated body, two pairs of transparent wings, and prominent eyes.
Dragonflies hunt mosquitoes and other small insects in flight, often hovering near water where they breed.
Dragonflies darted over the pond.
Limbs for flight
- wingbeatSingle wing oscillation
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
abdomen · segmented · six-legged · mandible · spiracles · tracheal · palps · proboscis
Coal-depositing geological period
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- ancientVery old indeed
- PaleozoicEarly complex-life epoch
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
amber · prehistoric · evolution · primordial · Permian · Triassic · giant · ancestor
Nature spirit or larva
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- moltShed outer covering
emergence · aquatic · naiad · hatch · mature · adult · pond · breeding
Tremulous, wavering light
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
- bluePrimary color; also sad
- greenColor of vegetation
- redPrimary color, warm
amber · emerald · sapphire · turquoise · copper · bronze · scarlet · violet
Small still body
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- streamSteady continuous flow
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
bog · reed · cattail · riverbank · swamp · freshwater · riparian · meadow
Remain suspended midair
- dartHandheld pointed projectile
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- flitMove lightly, rapidly
- swoopRapid downward plunge
maneuver · agility · aerial · airborne · aerobatics · soaring · zipping · hawking
Pursuer of prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- captureTake into custody
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
gnats · midges · insectivore · carnivore · pursuit · hawking · intercept · vision
Thorough change in form
- renewalMaking current again
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
illusion · change · maturity · self-realization · fleeting · transience · luck · prosperity
wings
Limbs for flight
exoskeleton · abdomen · segmented · six-legged · mandible · spiracles · tracheal · palps · proboscis · pterostigma
Carboniferous
Coal-depositing geological period
Mesozoic · amber · prehistoric · evolution · primordial · Permian · Triassic · giant · ancestor · primitive
nymph
Nature spirit or larva
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
molt · emergence · aquatic · naiad · hatch · mature · adult · pond · breeding · clutch
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
red · amber · emerald · sapphire · turquoise · copper · bronze · scarlet · violet · prismatic
pond
Small still body
lake · bog · reed · cattail · riverbank · swamp · freshwater · riparian · meadow · shoreline
hover
Remain suspended midair
swoop · maneuver · agility · aerial · airborne · aerobatics · soaring · zipping · hawking · perch
hunter
Pursuer of prey
mosquitoes · gnats · midges · insectivore · carnivore · pursuit · hawking · intercept · vision · swift
transformation
Thorough change in form
- renewalMaking current again
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
grace · illusion · change · maturity · self-realization · fleeting · transience · luck · prosperity · courage
- pond lifetadpoles, fish, frog, frogs, algae
- pondspond life, pond fish, cattails, lily pads, tadpoles
- swamp thingsmarsh, bog, duckweed, fen, cattails
- lakefrontlake house, lake cabin, lakefront, lakeshore, waterfront
- insectariumants, bees, beetles, butterflies, moths
- airborne lifegnats, mayflies, midges, bird migration, migratory birds
dragonfliesearthworms
Soil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
slugs · snails · butterflies · caterpillars · mosquitoes