Dragonflies first appeared on earth four hundred million years ago, well before dinosaurs and they are still with us today virtually unchanged as nature designed them perfectly.

However, all those years ago they boasted a wingspan of eighteen inches, much longer than today's species.

All ancient creatures were able to attain larger sizes because the oxygen content in the air was much denser than now.

Masters of the air, dragonflies can fly forwards or backwards at great speed or hover, catching insects as large as butterflies using forward pointing bristly legs that form a basket like an aerial fishing net.

An ancient name for dragonflies was 'horse stingers', a title derived from their habit of laying eggs on the legs of horses or cows standing in shallow water. But they certainly do not sting.

Damselflies, once known as 'devil's darning needles' are the new kids on the block, only evolving three hundred million years ago. They have similar life styles to dragonflies but are smaller, slimmer and fly slowly, reminding me of mini helicopters as they flutter over the water.

After spending a year under water as nymphs feeding on tiny creatures they emerge in late spring or summer, climbing a reed to dry wings which takes about an hour. At this stage they are called tenerals, being pale green and flimsy looking . First flights take them away from water to spend a few days feeding and gradually acquiring their brilliant colours. Illustrated is the male of my favourite insect the gorgeous banded demoiselle, lover of slow moving rivers and streams.