Many dragonflies and damselflies are equally quick to use created habitat, and whether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban environment, a backyard pond can make a difference in the landscape. A dragonfly pond doesn't have to be large; the minimum viable area is ~ 43 sq ft (4 sq m), but people with smaller ponds often have odonate visitors. A range of water depths, a diversity of submerged, emergent, floating, and marginal vegetation, and rocks at the edge for basking can provide everything a dragonfly needs for feeding, taking refuge from the elements, mating, and laying eggs. And you will have created a small oasis for yourself as well, to be used for relaxation, study, photography, education--or just to watch these beautiful insects go about their daily business. For detailed information on how to install a backyard dragonfly pond, check out the MDP publication "Backyard Ponds: Guidelines for Creating and Managing Habitat for Dragonflies and Damselflies".
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