28 DECEMBER 2022 INSECT FAERIES

My daughter gave me an insulated cup that I can use for drinking tea while I am at work. It is beautiful, besides being functional, and it is covered with drawings of dragonflies and damselflies. I have always been fascinated with these beguiling creatures. I saw them often when I was a child, while spending summer weekends next to a lake with my family. Little did I know at that time, they would be threatened with extinction a mere 70 years later. In fact, 64% of the world’s wetlands are disappearing; and they are vanishing three times faster than our forests.

Dragonflies and damselflies are a wetland species. The loss of their habitat is due not only to urbanization and unsustainable farming practices, but to the profuse use of pesticides as well. Why can we not see that these faery-like beings are our allies? They eat mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. The wetlands themselves store carbon and provide us with clear, clean water. They also help to prevent flooding. Protecting our wetlands, and all of the species that rely on them, should be one of our foremost objectives. Instead of providing millions of dollars for military aid, for pointless wars, and for space exploration, should we not be pouring money into saving our planet from the reprehensible practices that have been imposed on it?

Both dragonflies and damselflies have a double set of wings and you can tell them apart because the wings of the damselfly are of equal size and shape. The forewing and hindwing of the dragonfly; however, vary. Both have large multi-faceted eyes (like diamonds), elongated bodies, and transparent wings. The damsels are more brilliantly colored, more delicate overall, and they do not fly as fast or as strong as the dragons. There are around 7,000 dragonfly species and close to 3,000 of their smaller cousins, the damsels. Nearly 20% are now in danger of extinction.

Now each day while I am sipping tea from my new cup, I will be reminded of the vital threat to our wetlands and to the insect faeries that grace them.