Dragonflies a problem?

[mvanek]

I was watching the hive today when I noticed a dragonfly was doing the same from a nearby rock.  A few minutes later, the same dragonfly landed on the side of the hive, right by the entrance and was watching the bees enter.  I think I mumbled something such as "Don't touch my bees dragonfly!" before it flew away.

My question is, has anyone had any trouble with dragonflies eating bees?  I didn't see this happen, but it looked suspicious.  And if one does it, I have about 30 or so dragonflies that hang around my house so I'm afraid the bee casualties would be high if they took a liking to bee taste.

Thanks for your input.   :)

[hardwood]

I've seen them take a bee on occasion, but I really don't think they could cause any real detriment to the colony. Even with 30 or more dragonflies eating say 2 or 3 bees a day it wouldn't be such a great loss to a strong hive. Of course, I live in mosquito country and tend to favor the dragons!

Scott

[schawee]

i have like 10 to 15 around my hives late in the day.they are good at getting the bees.but i don't see that as a problem.more bees drown in my pool than what they eat.   ...schawee

[Kathyp]

i have them also.  i don't see them as a problem. 

[annette]

They eat my bees, but not much

[Scadsobees]

SSS

You just have to be a really good shot with the pellet gun.

[deknow]

i see them around, and i'm not concerned about them eating a few bees.  queens on mating flights, however, fly slow and are big and juicy.  if you have a lot of dragonflys around and are mating queens, you might keep an eye on things.

deknow

[danno]

I heard that if you bring a few barn swallows that they will take care of your Dragonfly problem

[Jim134]

I heard that if you bring a few barn swallows that they will take care of your Dragonfly problem

  Barm swallows will eat Dragonfly and Honey Bees  :roll:


      BEE HAPY Jim 134  :)

[danno]

I heard that if you bring a few barn swallows that they will take care of your Dragonfly problem

  Barm swallows will eat Dragonfly and Honey Bees  :roll:


      BEE HAPY Jim 134  :)

It was a joke!!!   I just said that because of another recent thread about barn swallow problems and someone posted they eat bugs

[Irwin]

I shoot them too good target practice :evil:

[Jim134]

I heard that if you bring a few barn swallows that they will take care of your Dragonfly problem

  Barm swallows will eat Dragonfly and Honey Bees  :roll:


      BEE HAPY Jim 134  :)

It was a joke!!!   I just said that because of another recent thread about barn swallow problems and someone posted they eat bugs

Barm swallows eat all kinds of flying bugs


                 BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)

[Jim134]

I shoot them too good target practice :evil:

                             LOL

[MeadFarm]

I got the joke danno!  :-D
A real knee slapper!

[Michael Bach]

To beat a dead horse, they do eat bees but not to the point of concern.

The other day there was a dragon fly on the side of the hive eating a bee that had her sacks full of bright orange pollen.  The dragon fly looked like he/she ate a bag of cheetos.

[mvanek]

Thanks for all the input.  It doesn't seem like it will be a problem and the dragonflies are really interesting to watch.  

Good thought about the mating queens.  At this point, I don't have to worry about that though.

Thank you.

[luvin honey]

I learn something every day. I didn't know dragonflies were pestivorous. Never really thought about their food source, actually.

[AllenF]

Well, I just learned a new word.

[mvanek]

Luvin...even in their larval form in the water, they are well adapted predators.  Some even stay in the water for a a few years in the larval stage, eating all of the water insects.  :)

[luvin honey]

Well, I just learned a new word.

Ha! Please don't actually use that word. :)