Dragonfly and Aquatic Insect Welfare

Dragonflies and other aquatic insects are indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems and face significant welfare challenges from water quality decline, habitat loss and climate change affecting their aquatic larval stages.

Key Facts

Britain has 57 species of dragonfly and damselfly, with most requiring clean, well-oxygenated water for their aquatic larvae
Dragonfly larvae spend from one to five years in aquatic habitats, making water quality essential for their welfare
Several UK dragonfly species have expanded their range northward as climate warms, while others face habitat loss
The Freshwater Habitats Trust and British Dragonfly Society monitor dragonfly populations and protect key sites
Aquatic insect communities are widely used as indicators of water quality because of their sensitivity to pollution

Welfare Considerations

Dragonfly welfare is primarily determined by the condition of their aquatic larval habitat. Larvae that develop in polluted water experience physiological stress from chemical exposure and may fail to complete development, representing a welfare harm if they have any capacity for experience. Adults that emerge into degraded landscapes with inadequate food, mates or shelter cannot meet their welfare needs. The creation and restoration of diverse freshwater habitats — ponds, streams and wet grasslands — provides the most direct welfare benefit to dragonflies and the wider aquatic insect community that sustains the freshwater food web.

What You Can Do

Create a wildlife pond to provide dragonfly breeding habitat in your garden
Support the Freshwater Habitats Trust pond creation and restoration work
Participate in the British Dragonfly Society recording scheme to contribute to population monitoring
Advocate for improved water quality standards in your local rivers and streams
Avoid using pesticides near freshwater habitats that may run off and harm aquatic insects