From Blue Ridge Wildlife Center
We admit very few invertebrate patients each year, but we will always provide care for these species to the best of our ability!
This Blue Dasher came to the center after being found down on a sidewalk, unable to fly due to a sticky material over the wings and face that was preventing flight. Fortunately we were able to anesthetize this patient and carefully remove the foreign material. After a few hours to recover from the procedure and a quick flight test, this dragonfly was cleared for release and flew off beautifully!
Blue Dashers are a common native dragonfly species and they are voracious predators who can consume hundreds of flying insects per day. Like other dragonfly species, they provide important mosquito (and by extension mosquito-borne disease) control that benefits wildlife, domestic animals, and us humans.
While we see many traumatizing and disturbing cases each day that highlight the severe damage humans cause to our natural environment, we are also constantly reminded of the good in our own species and love to see that some humans care enough to ensure that even the tiniest creatures receive the care they deserve.
I imagine it has taken much trial and error! I’ve heard we’ve repaired butterfly wings at our center, so now I’m wondering if we’ve done similar.
It has to be strange to try to understand how such a different way or respiration works, as the dragonfly breathes through its skin using spiracles. I knew they, along with many insects, breath through skin, but I never had looked at how they do it before. They have many openings leading to a network of air sacs that can open and close.
They remind me of stoma on plant leaves that are also used for gas exchange.
It never ceases to amaze me the lengths wildlife rehabbers go through for all animals. They are such cool people!