Do dragonflies sting?

A. “Can you tell me if dragonflies bite?” The answer to this question has three parts: (i) “Do dragonflies bite?” YES, dragonflies bite, because that's how they capture their food. They have impressive, sharply pointed mandibles that chomp down on the smaller insects they catch. (ii) “Do dragonflies bite people? read more

” The simple answer to this is NO – they have no ‘sting’ as such. BUT there have been a number of accounts of egg-laying dragonflies that, when interrupted, continued the operation into the flesh or clothing of examining odonatists. read more

These insects do not sting people, and therefore aren't a threat in that manner unlike some other creatures -- say, the hornet, for example. Dragonflies do not possess any tools for stinging purposes, according to Texas A&M University's AgriLife Research division. read more

I am regularly asked at talks and workshops whether dragonflies bite or sting. The question is posed frequently enough that it is included on a Frequently Asked Questions slide, and I figure that enough people wonder about it to warrant a blog post. read more