Dragonfly

Slender long-bodied insects with two pairs of clear, iridescent wings and huge eyes. Fast, agile fliers that snatch mosquitoes, gnats, midges, and small flies right out of the air. Harmless to people and plants.

• Darting, hovering insects with shimmering wings zipping around the garden.
• Fewer mosquitoes and gnats when they're around.
• They often perch on stakes or tall stems between hunts.

• Keep a small water feature or shallow dish of water nearby — dragonflies breed in water.
• Leave some tall stakes or perches around the garden so they can rest between flights.
• Skip broad-spectrum insecticides that wipe out beneficial insects.