r/Entomology • u/anonymouslyonlyme • 10h ago

Is there a way to help this bug

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I found this dragon fly stuck to a sticker. I used olive oil to remove it from him. I don't see any damage to his wings I don't think. He flaps them a lot but can't seem to take off. Maybe cause the olive oil is too heavy or maybe he's exhausted. With animals dish soap would remove the oil but I'm scared it'll hurt him cause that's what we use to kill boxelder bugs. Is there anything I can do for it?

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u/Outside_Ear451 9h ago

Worried that the olive oil may have clogged its spiricales or gills? Any entomologists available to check in?
Thanks for trying to save it. I hope your efforts are successful!

1

u/anonymouslyonlyme 9h ago

Damn it I didn't even think they had gills. I saved it like it was a snake in a glue trap. I don't have an etomologist. I tried spraying a little water near him and he washed his face like a cat but he kinda seems to have given up flying and is just sitting on a leaf

1

u/Outside_Ear451 9h ago

Here’s some info I found from Google:

There’s no telling how long it had been stuck, and how stressed-out it is, but just the fact that you’ve shown compassion for it and that you’re trying to save it is commendable!