Studies show unique hunting strategy associated with Dragonflies

Researchers from Hughes Medical Institute in Virginia have paved way for new insights regarding the hunting strategies found in Dragonflies. The researchers employed ultra high speed cameras and a dummy fruit fly to model the hunting capabilities of Dragonflies.

The researchers claimed that dragonflies employ a predictive way of hunting rather than a reactive one. They stick to a plan when approaching their prey rather than just react to the movements of their prey.

Previously scientists thought that the predictive hunting techniques were associated with vertebrates only. This development has not only proved them wrong but also has stemmed a thought to the complex hunting mechanism adopted by the dragonflies. The notion that dragonflies just blindly mimic the movements of their prey in order to catch them has now been rendered defunct.

Dragonflies are quite sneaky predators. They line their prey from either behind or from under where the prey cannot comprehend. They are also quite excellent in camouflaging and hiding their body movements.

Researchers reveal that even when the dummy fruit fly changed its course, the dragonfly persisted to its route almost about 70 percent of the time.
During the hunt, dragonflies plot a proper interception path in order to catch their prey.