Editor's Picks

05 May 2011

Amazing facts: Dragonflies Use Movement as Camouflage


Scientists are astonished from the amazing camouflage of that little insect when attacking its victim ….

A dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata.It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. Even though dragonflies possess 6 legs like any other insect, they are not capable of walking.

Dragonflies are valuable predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, and butterflies. They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic.

In a published research by prof. Aikiko Mezuhtani of the Center for Visual Science at the Australian National University in Canberra, there was a  proof that dragonfly male is professional in camouflaging when moving as it deludes the eye of the victim so that it see it stable while attacking.  



The amazing design of wings and body enable the insect to make unlimited maneuvers while flying so that it can attack the victim so easily.

Scientists say that dragonflies use movement for their camouflage, Camouflage is usually associated with immobility as it occupies the same spot in the retina of the victim. So that the victim sees it stable when it is moving, scientists say that this technique is complicated and very strange.



The dragonfly uses fast, complicated and unseen movement to attack the victim.

Prof. Mezuhtani and the team used stereoscopic cameras to reconstruct the movements of the insect in three dimensions. After a long study they discovered that this insect can arrange its wings and body during flying to make the victim see it as if it is stable.  



Most animals can skillfully conceal themselves when stationary, but they may become apparent as soon as they move. The dragonfly uses another technique and without that it may die by hunger, but Allah almighty taught that insect a unique technique to catch its victims.    

Scientists say that the brain of the dragonfly is so small in comparison with the volume of the executed complicated arithmetic operations which produce that fast movement in the three directions.  



 The eye covers the entire head and without that perfect design dragonfly wouldn’t be able to live and get its food.



Nature inspired human for many inventions, but the abilities of the dragonfly are more advanced than any other superior invention.

Scientists say that till now they don't know how that insect had got these abilities to perform such complicated technique as the executed motions are amazing, also they say that it would be impossible for that insect to learn itself and without the help of anyone. So who taught it that technique, nature or coincidence?



Look at this amazing design of wings, human can’t mimic it by using the latest technology methods. Who did create that perfect design, nature or the insect itself? Atheists must answer that question otherwise they should believe that Allah almighty is the only creator or they should tell us, who is the creator?  

After all of the above we must realize our weakness in comparison with that little insect. But we may find some people who claim that nature created this wonderful insect!!! Allah says: 

"(Or do they assign to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them?" Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things; and He is the One, the Irresistible.)"(Quran 13:6)   

We can only say what Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: 

"(This is the creation of Allah. So show me that which those (whom you worship) besides Him have created. Nay, the Zâlimûn(polytheists, wrongdoers and those who do not believe in the Oneness of Allah) are in plain error.)"(Quran 31:11)

Print Friendly and PDF
--------------------------------------------------------------------