Red dragonfly and golden spider, beneficial garden predators

August 02, 2017


Here be dragons! I see a lot of dragonflies in my garden each summer thanks to the stock-tank pond. Last week I watched this beautiful red dragonfly guarding his mate as she laid her eggs in the pond, dipping her tail repeatedly in the water.


He flitted from one plant to another as I edged around the pond, staying just beyond my reach, perching in jewel-like splendor amid the waterlilies.


Less lovely to my eyes, but no less beneficial for its voracious appetite for insects, an argiope spider has made a large web in the front garden. I had a hard time getting a focused photo of her until I framed her against the windshield of a car — creating the illusion that she’s nearly big enough to carry off the driver!

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12 responses to “Red dragonfly and golden spider, beneficial garden predators”

  1. Laura Munoz says:

    Both are very cool! Especially love the dragonfly. It’s a beauty.

  2. What a bright dragonfly. I bet it is fascinating to watch them. The spider is a beauty too. Their webs are so beautiful.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I have yet to find a spider beautiful — my natural arachnophobia, I’m afraid — but I do find them fascinating and valuable creatures in the garden. I admire you and others who can appreciate their beauty too! —Pam

  3. Pat Webster says:

    LOVE the photos!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It’s all so much easier to blog these days with the advent of good cell phone cameras, right? They’re always in our pockets. —Pam

  4. Rebecca says:

    That red dragonfly is stunning. We only have the blue/green/gray kind in our garden. After some quick google research it appears that they are native to Central Texas, I’ll have to find out more and see if they are also found in Northern Texas.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I didn’t know that, Rebecca. Thanks for researching and sharing. The blue ones are beautiful too, but yes, the red ones are particularly showy. —Pam

  5. Lisa says:

    I’ve never seen a red dragonfly (lovely), and was interested in Rebecca’s comment about how they’re endemic to Central Texas, apparently.

    Loved seeing your photos and reading your post.

  6. I’m glad you clarified about the size of that spider! I’ve never seen a red dragonfly before, it’s stunning!