The Kentuckian
A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.
Why are dragonflies associated with snakes?
· Kentuckian Earlane Cox has often heard dragonflies referred to as "snake feeders" or "snake doctors." Apparently, these nick names stem from the belief that dragonflies caught insects for snakes or otherwise helped care for snakes, including helping to raise baby snakes. Click to see full answer. Likewise, people ask, do dragonflies mean snakes are around?
Why are they called snake doctors and Snake feeders?
· Snake feeders was what grandpa called the larger spieces of dragonfly. He always warned that when you saw several flitting about near the water’s edge there was likely a water moccasin or one’s nest in the vicinity. Water moccasins were pretty common in the area as were the snake feeders so there may be something to the connection between the two.
Why did the Navajo call dragonflies snake doctors?
My cousins and aunts told me they were snake doctors, and when I asked why they called them that, I was told it was because they helped sick snakes to heal, that they were doctors to snakes. They are related to dragonflies, but not the same. They may not have differentiated damselflies from dragonflies though, lumping them all together, because as I did a bit of research for this …
Why are dragonflies called helicopter fliers?
· The Southern United States term “snake doctor” refers to a folk belief that dragonflies follow snakes around and stitch them back together if they are injured. (Seems in …
Are dragonflies called snake feeders?
In many parts of Appalachia dragonflies are called snake doctors or snake feeders.
Why are they called snake doctors?
"Snake Doctor" was their name for this mini-beast. "If you chop a snake up into several pieces," they said, "the 'Snake Doctor' will come along and sew up the wounds and make the snake whole again."
Why is the dragonfly called the devil's darning needle?
The term devil's darning needle is derived from a superstition that dragonflies may sew up the eyes, ears, or mouth of a sleeping child, especially one who has misbehaved. In reality, dragonflies present no danger to humans.
What is a bunch of dragonflies called?
In the case of dragonflies, the swarm may be a bunch of dragonflies feeding together at one location. This is called a static swarm. Dragonflies can also form large groups and move from place to place. This is called a migratory swarm.
What's a snake feeder?
Definitions of snake feeder. slender-bodied non-stinging insect having iridescent wings that are outspread at rest; adults and nymphs feed on mosquitoes etc. synonyms: darning needle, devil's darning needle, dragonfly, mosquito hawk, sewing needle, skeeter hawk, snake doctor.
What was in snake oil?
After seizing a shipment of Stanley's Snake Oil in 1917, federal investigators found that it primarily contained mineral oil, a fatty oil believed to be beef fat, red pepper and turpentine.
Can dragonflies bite humans?
Dragonflies aren't an aggressive insect, but they can bite out of self-defense when they feel threatened. The bite isn't dangerous, and in most cases, it won't break human skin.
What does it mean when a dragonfly visits you?
Good fortune and prosperity are associated with dragonflies in various cultures. So if you see a dragonfly, make a wish and it will come true. Dragonflies indicated that there was a lot of fish in the area. For the fisherman, dragonflies were a symbol of good fortune.
How long can a dragonfly live?
7 – 56 daysDragonfly / Lifespan (Adult)
What does it mean when 2 dragonflies are stuck together?
If you see two dragonflies together, it can serve as a confirmation that you're in a mature relationship that is one of a kind. It may also signify that this kind of relationship is lies ahead in your future.
Why do dragonflies attach tail to head?
Have you noticed dragonfly pairs flying about connected tail-to-head? The common explanation is that the dragonflies are mating. This is not true, but it is a behavior related to mating. When dragonflies are ready to mate, males have to prepare for the magic moment via a process called self insemination.
Why is my yard full of dragonflies?
Dragonflies are drawn to areas where there is standing water, such as ponds, streams and wetlands. They are often found in moist meadows with lots of flowers. If you have a pond or stream near your land, or if recent rains have left flooded areas, this may draw dragonflies to your yard.
What is the name of the dragonfly?
In some South American countries, dragonflies are also called matacaballo (horse killer), or caballito del diablo ( devil’s horse), since they were perceived as harmful, some species being quite large for an insect.
What do dragonflies symbolize?
It is said in some Native American beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku.
Why are dragonflies considered predators?
They are therefore valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as “nymphs”, are aquatic. Adult dragonflies do not bite or sting humans.
Why do trolls use dragonflies?
Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people’s souls. Another Swedish legend holds that trolls use the dragonflies as spindles when weaving their clothes (hence the Swedish word for dragonfly trollslända, lit. “troll’s spindle”) as well as sending them to poke out the eyes of their enemies.
Do dragonflies have vortices?
Rather than slipping air smoothly over sleek airfoils as birds do, dragonflies create furious vortices which swirl much faster than the surrounding airflow around the surface of the wings. The speed of the air immediately adjacent to the wing produces lift in both planes.
Do dragonflies have a reputation?
In East Asia and among Native Americans, dragonflies have a far better reputation, one that can also be said to have positively influenced modern day views about dragonflies in most countries.
Do dragonflies follow snakes?
In fact, dragonflies are connected to a variety of lore and legends all around the world! Some Dragonfly Lore accordiing to Wikipedia: The Southern United States term “snake doctor” refers to a folk belief that dragonflies follow snakes around and stitch them back together if they are injured.
Why are dragonflies called "darners"?
People once believed that dragonflies were able to "sew up" a persons lips or ears. This may be the reason why some dragonflies are called "darners"; a "darner" is also a kind of knitting needle. Kentuckian Earlane Cox has often heard dragonflies referred to as "snake feeders" or "snake doctors.".
What are dragonflies predators?
The aquatic naiads feed voraciously on minnows, tadpoles, aquatic insects, and other small, live prey. Dragonfly naiads are primarily ambush predators: they find a strategic spot on an underwater leaf or under a rock.
What is the name of the dragonfly in Kentucky?
FAMILY: Aeshnidae. Pictured below is the Green Darner, Anax junius. Darners are some of the most commonly encountered dragonflies in Kentucky, especially near ponds. They are also among our largest dragonflies, at over 3". Green darners have clear wings, a green thorax, and an abdomen that is often bright blue.
What is the color of a skimmer dragonfly?
Skimmers often have bold white-and-black or blue-and-black patterns on their bodies and wings. Most common skimmers have bodies between 1 - 2 ½" long. The nymph of a common skimmer dragonfly is pictured above in the Life Cycle section.
How many legs does a dragonfly have?
Like all insects, dragonflies have 6 legs, 2 antennae, and 3 body parts. Adult dragonflies have 2 pairs of wings, chewing mouthparts, and large compound eyes. Dragonfly antennae are very short, and cannot be seen without close inspection. Dragonflies look similar to damselflies, but dragonflies are unable to fold their wings over their bodies, whereas most damselflies hold their wings over their bodies when they are not flying. Young dragonflies (called "nymphs" or "naiads") are fully aquatic. They resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Do dragonflies have wings?
Dragonflies look similar to damselflies, but dragonflies are unable to fold their wings over their bodies, whereas most damselflies hold their wings over their bodies when they are not flying. Young dragonflies (called "nymphs" or "naiads") are fully aquatic. They resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Is a dragon fly a pest?
Dragonflies are not considered pests. They are typically considered beneficial because they eat mosquitoes and other pests.
How do dragonflies fly?
Dragonflies are powerful and agile fliers, capable of migrating across the sea, moving in any direction, and changing direction suddenly. In flight, the adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions: upward, downward, forward, backward, to left and to right. They have four different styles of flight: A number of flying modes are used that include counter-stroking, with forewings beating 180° out of phase with the hindwings, is used for hovering and slow flight. This style is efficient and generates a large amount of lift; phased-stroking, with the hindwings beating 90° ahead of the forewings, is used for fast flight. This style creates more thrust, but less lift than counter-stroking; synchronised-stroking, with forewings and hindwings beating together, is used when changing direction rapidly, as it maximises thrust; and gliding, with the wings held out, is used in three situations: free gliding, for a few seconds in between bursts of powered flight; gliding in the updraft at the crest of a hill, effectively hovering by falling at the same speed as the updraft; and in certain dragonflies such as darters, when "in cop" with a male, the female sometimes simply glides while the male pulls the pair along by beating his wings.
Where did the dragonfly come from?
Dragonfly symbol on a Hopi bowl from Sikyátki, Arizona, c. 1400–1625. Accurately drawn dragonflies by Moses Harris, 1780: At top left, the brown hawker, Aeshna grandis (described by Linnaeus, 1758 ); the nymph at lower left is shown with the "mask" extended. Woodcut on paper, after Kitagawa Utamaro, 1788.
How to warm up a dragonfly?
Early in the morning, they may choose to perch in a vertical position with the wings outstretched, while in the middle of the day, a horizontal stance may be chosen. Another method of warming up used by some larger dragonflies is wing-whirring, a rapid vibration of the wings that causes heat to be generated in the flight muscles. The green darner ( Anax junius) is known for its long-distance migrations, and often resorts to wing-whirring before dawn to enable it to make an early start.
What happens if a dragonfly eats a frog?
If the nymph is eaten by a frog, the amphibian becomes infected by the adult or fluke stage of the trematode.
What color are dragonflies eyes?
Their overall colouration is often a combination of yellow, red, brown, and black pigments, with structural colours.
How many segments does a dragonfly have?
An adult dragonfly has three distinct segments, the head, thorax, and abdomen, as in all insects. It has a chitinous exoskeleton of hard plates held together with flexible membranes. The head is large with very short antennae. It is dominated by the two compound eyes, which cover most of its surface.
What is the threat to dragonflies?
Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Dragonflies are predators, both in their aquatic larval stage, when they are known as nymphs or naiads, and as adults.
What do dragonflies mean?
Dragonfly Meaning and Symbolism 1 Many Americans believe that it is good luck if a dragonfly lands on you without prompting. Dragonflies are also a symbol of good luck in Chinese tradition. 2 Dragonflies have been a notable part of folklore in many countries, especially Japan. Japanese tradition views dragonflies as symbols of swiftness and as a sign of summer and autumn. 3 Dragonflies have been a symbol of purity, activity, and swiftness for some Native Americans. The indication of purity comes from both the pure water in healthy aquatic habitats where dragonflies thrive and from the fact that they eat their food right out of the wind. 4 Some common names for dragonflies are “Mosquito Hawk,” “Devil’s Darning Needle,” and “Snake Doctor.” Mosquito Hawk stems from the dragonfly’s favorite food, Devil’s Needle stems from very old traditions indicating that dragonflies were evil, and Snake Doctor stems from the fact that dragonflies can often be seen in the same habitat as snakes and sometimes even interact with them.
Why do people have dragonflies in their gardens?
Most people love to have dragonflies in their gardens, if only because dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes.
How to tell if a damselfly is a dragonfly or a dragonfly?
You can distinguish them by noticing that dragonflies fly directly and with purpose, while the damselfy’s flight is more fluttery. The damselfly also has a slightly longer abdomen. A damselfly has the same captivating appearance as a dragonfly, but it is a bit smaller and its eyes are farther apart.
How long were dragonflies around before dinosaurs?
Fossil records show that dragonflies were around for 100 million years before the dinosaurs. These prehistoric predators had wingspans of over three feet and are the largest insects known. Imagine if they were that big now—a dainty dragonfly landing on your finger would not seem quite so charming!
What does it mean when a dragonfly lands on you?
Many Americans believe that it is good luck if a dragonfly lands on you without prompting. Dragonflies are also a symbol of good luck in Chinese tradition.
What is the difference between a mosquito hawk and a snake doctor?
Mosquito Hawk stems from the dragonfly’s favorite food, Devil’s Needle stems from very old traditions indicating that dragonflies were evil, and Snake Doctor stems from the fact that dragonflies can often be seen in the same habitat as snakes and sometimes even interact with them.
What are some common names for dragonflies?
Some common names for dragonflies are “Mosquito Hawk,” “Devil’s Darning Needle,” and “Snake Doctor.”.
Why do we love dragonflies?
We have many reasons to love dragonflies. They look cool, eat mosquitoes —and have some nifty nicknames across the U.S. In our continued partnership with the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), we bring you 25 dramatic dragonfly designations from around the country.
Where do dragonflies fly?
So it’s no surprise that the dragonfly is known as a helicopter in areas like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and the Upper Midwest.
What is the name of the insect that sews your eyes shut?
Eye stitcher comes from the frightening idea that dragonflies “will sew your eyes shut if you don’t behave.”. 8. SCHNEIDER. Pronounced sneeder or snyder, this Wisconsin moniker comes from the German word for tailor and also refers to the daddy longlegs and other insects. 9., 10., AND 11.
What is the name of the insect that cuts the ears of children who lie?
Make up scary stuff about insects. The term ear cutter comes from the myth that dragonflies “will cut the ears of children who lie,” according to DARE. Synonyms include ear sewer and ear needle, the latter of which is probably a blend of ear sewer and darning needle.
What are the two bumps on a dragonfly called?
According to the 1893 book Some Peculiarities of Speech in Mississippi, the “two bumps sometimes seen on the [dragonfly], just behind his wings, are called his saddlebags, and in them he is reputed to carry medicine for the snakes.” Meanwhile, an Alabama resident told DARE dragonflies “picked off the gnats that would gather in a small cloud around a sunning snake.”
What is the meaning of snake servant?
A Pennsylvania term, snake servant apparently comes from the belief that dragonflies warned snakes “of approaching danger, and aided them in the acquisition of food, ” according to the Journal of American Folklore.
How far do dragonflies migrate?
According to Hawaiian Nature, a particular species of dragonfly known as the globe-skimmer takes “advantage of any little puddle of water in the lowlands to breed,” which is why “this species is so abundant, even in the driest localities.” The species migrates 11,000 miles —the farthest of any insect.
What does a dragonfly symbolize?
In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life. The Dragonfly is iridescent both on its wings and body.
What does it mean when you see a dragonfly?
Seeing swarms of dragonflies mean rain is on the way. In some cultures, dragonflies represent good luck or prosperity. So make a wish when you see a dragonfly and it'll come true. If a dragonfly hovered near the fisherman, he took it as a good luck sign.
What do dragonflies symbolize spiritually?
In Native American legends, the dragonfly is a symbol of resurrection, and renewal after hardship. The dragonfly is a carefree insect tat symbolizes free spirit , swiftness, and activity.
