Invertebrates

Dragonfly Welfare: Ancient Predators Facing Modern Threats

Dragonflies are among the oldest insect orders and highly effective aerial predators. Habitat loss and water pollution threaten populations, and their potential sentience raises welfare questions.

Key Facts

Dragonflies have been on Earth for over 300 million years with remarkably stable body plans
They are among the most successful predators in the animal kingdom with a 95% catch rate
Dragonfly larvae are aquatic, spending months to years in freshwater before emerging as adults
Over 16% of dragonfly and damselfly species are threatened with extinction globally
Wetland loss, water pollution, and invasive species are the main drivers of decline

Welfare Considerations

Dragonfly larvae inhabit freshwater ecosystems that are among the most degraded on Earth. Pollution causes chronic physiological stress and impairs development. Adult dragonflies may experience distress during predation attempts, handling, and extreme weather events. Whether dragonflies are sentient remains debated, but their neurological complexity and sophisticated hunting behaviour suggest non-trivial internal states worth considering under the precautionary principle.

What You Can Do

Create or restore a garden pond to provide dragonfly breeding habitat
Avoid pesticide use near water bodies where dragonflies breed
Support wetland restoration programmes in your region
Report dragonfly species observations to citizen science databases like iNaturalist