Spiketails
Spiketails (family Cordulegastridae) are a group of large dragonflies belonging to the order Odonata. It is crucial to clarify that from an agronomic perspective, these insects are not agricultural pests. Instead, they serve as active predators that help regulate the populations of other insects within agroecosystems.
What the section contains
Common lacewing
Zoraena diastatops
Cordulegaster diadema
Cordulegaster diadema
Cordulegaster erronea
Cordulegaster erronea
Cordulegaster godmani
Cordulegaster godmani
Cordulegaster maculata
Cordulegaster maculata
Golden-ringed dragonfly
Cordulegaster
Golden-ringed dragonfly
Zoraena bilineata
Pacific spiketail
Cordulegaster dorsalis
Say's stink bug
Zoraena sayi
Short-antennae plant bug
Taeniogaster obliqua
Taeniogaster
Taeniogaster
Zoraena
Zoraena
Spiketails
Systematically, these insects are classified under the suborder Anisoptera. Their life cycle is intrinsically linked to water bodies where their larvae develop. Adults are characterized by their significant size, striking yellow and black coloration, and powerful flight, which makes them highly efficient aerial predators.
The biology of spiketails is notable for a lengthy larval stage, which can last from 3 to 5 years. The larvae are aquatic predators inhabiting flowing waters or streams, feeding on small invertebrates. The adults are exclusively insectivorous, hunting other flying insects, which often include various crop-impacting species.
There is no damage caused by spiketails to plants, as they are strictly non-phytophagous. They do not feed on plant tissues, sap, or roots. Moreover, their presence in agricultural landscapes is often an indicator of good water quality and high ecological health, as these dragonflies are sensitive to habitat degradation and pollution.
No protection or control measures are necessary for spiketails. In fact, farmers are encouraged to maintain natural habitats, such as streams and riparian buffers, to support these populations. By functioning as natural biological control agents, they contribute to the sustainable management of insect pest populations on the farm.