“Wild Creatures in Hong Kong” by Robert I. Ferguson

From Robert Ferguson’s blog here

My copy of the newly published “Wild Creatures in Hong Kong” by Robert I. Ferguson arrived in the post today. It’s a handbook, “a guide to some fo the wonderful animals around us” in Hong Kong, with fantastic pictures by Robert. It’s meant to be carried along on your walks in the Country Parks.
Like Robert, we’re also fans of dragonflies. We have them here, floating over our fish pond, especially in the evening, predating mosquitos, and others…

They’re fearsome predators. David Attenborough was on about dragonflies last night. Said they have a 95% success rate of catching their prey in the air, much higher than any other animal.
That’s due to their fantastic eyes, their speed and a basket they have between their legs when homing in on prey. Nothing that humans have made comes close to what these wonderful creatures can do in the air.

ADDED (5 May 2020): I’m imagining the world from the point of view of a mosquito. Buzzing around the pond. You look up. Or down. Or whatever. And see a dragon fly that’s homing in on you. What’s it going to seem like? A jumbo jet! Isn’t it? A jumbo jet with legs where the undercarriage should be.  And great big net held between those fearsome legs.  Homing in on you! Scary. But mosquitoes get scared? Do insects? I dunno.

More from Robert on the mighty dragonfly; go over to his blog to order the booklet:

The word dragonfly has its source in the myth that dragonflies were once dragons, both having long thin bodies and outstretched wings. Called the ‘Devil’s riding horse’ in Old English, dragonflies were believed to be either demonic or seen as a poisonous winged snake. In contrast, dragonflies have been revered in Asia. Generally associated with prosperity and harmony, they are cultural symbols of good harvests and are good luck charms. (Japan’s ancient name Akitsushmia literally means “dragonfly island”). They are also farmed and eaten – both as larva and as adults – specifically in Indonesia and China.

Dragonflies are excellent hunters, using the basket formed by its legs to catch insects whilst flying. Amazingly they can eat food equal to its own weight in less than 30 minutes. Their prey includes mayflies, flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, even butterflies and bees. More....