how to hunt a dragonfly

Did you know dragonflies have mouths? And that they open them like they are screaming when you rip their wings in half and spear them with a stick? Thought for today: maybe this wasn't the best project for a vegetarian to choose...

Went dragonfly hunting with a small army of children. By research rules, I am not allowed to have anyone under 18 as an "informant" and I'm not allowed to take pictures of people. Luckily there are no such rules for a personal blog (I did receive permission from both them and the parents though).



Started at a family compound of two of the children. Their mom made our "weapons"- a long rod made of the spine from a banana leaf.



Into the tip, she shoved the middle of a coconut leaf, called lidi. Lidi are used on brooms and to hold the leaf baskets of offerings together- tough but very flexible. The end of the lidi was coated in a sticky gun made of the sap of a frangipani tree and coconut oil. The perfect consistency is sticky, but does not come off onto anything so you can keep reusing the same rod for several trips.



Accompanying this tool is the stiff section the lidi, one end sheared to a point, like a spear, the other wrapped in a sort of flag- coconut leaf folded in half and attached with the gum. A wand, if you will.



I was "scheduled" to go with just one little girl, already waiting at the field but the two at the compound wanted to come too. Their father drove and I sat on the back of the motorbike with the rod and wand while the kids rode in the front. Four to the bike- a sweet feat. I felt honored to take part. Two more children joined us at the fields and we marched out into the coming dusk and hunted until sunset. I only learned by watching. Kids are the greatest language challenge because they speak quickly, say whatever they want and look at you funny if you don't understand. They didn't speak to me though- just demonstrated:

How to hunt a dragonfly:

- find one that has, preferably, already alighted

- hold the rod at the minimum distance needed to reach the insect on its perch so as to minimize movement. The lidi is very waverable, so this is important (and my downfall at later attempts)

- get as close to the dragonfly as you can without touching what it is resting on

- slowly move the rod in its direction until the rod touches it, most likely on the wings or the legs

- or, if you are an expert, simply swoop down on the insect and stick it to the rod with no hesitation

- pull the rod towards you or point the end at a friend

- either you or the friend grab the dragonfly by the body or its fast beating wings




- rearrange so the wings are between your thumb and forefinger, then rip them in half, leaving just ragged stumps. This is to ensure they don't fly away if you happen to drop them

- grab the tool with the "flag." Place the sheared end up to the insect's midsection and push it through very slowly. It will remain alive, breathing with torn wings beating. If you are a conscientious objector, it may be good to close your eyes during this part or you may end up squealing or otherwise dancing around involuntarily shuttering. Just saying...

- slide it to the end of the flag or to the end of the next bug down. Your wand will continue to vibrate with beating wings

- repeat until the wand is full

We collected 35 in total. Although I speared two, I tried (and failed) three times to stick one to the end; the kids just took the rod back. My conscience feels slightly clearer for this. They will be used later for Campung Pepes, which, honestly, looks quite delicious.

A recipe:

Pepes Campung

- fully de-wing the dragonflies
- prepare about a cup of fresh coconut cream
- add onions, garlic, white tumeric, chilis and dragonflies
- wrap in a banana leaf
- roast over an open fire, heating the leaf, but not burning
- open and enjoy with rice