The dependency of hobbies on insect prey and conservation implications of insect decline.
Key Facts
Dragonflies and large beetles form a significant part of hobby diet in summer
Decline of flying insects threatens hobby food security during breeding season
Heathland dragonfly populations depend on clean ponds and damp habitats
Urban green spaces support flying insect populations that benefit hobbies
Habitat connectivity enables dragonfly dispersal to new foraging areas
Welfare Considerations
Individual hobbies depend on abundant flying insects including dragonflies, and insect conservation is an indirect but important hobby welfare intervention.
What You Can Do
Create garden ponds to support dragonfly populations that hobbies depend on
Reduce pesticide use to support flying insect populations
Support heathland and wetland conservation that benefits prey species