Dragonflies are ambient critters: they don’t fight, drop rare loot or follow you home. What they do is make water feel alive. Here’s everything you need to know about the Critters and Companions dragonfly.
Where do dragonflies spawn?
Dragonflies spawn near water in temperate and warm biomes. The best places to look are:
- Rivers, especially bends with reeds and grass on the banks
- Swamps, which have plenty of still water
- Lakes and ponds in plains and forests
They’re most active during the day. If an area seems empty, travel to newly generated chunks near water.
Behaviour
Dragonflies hover, dart and change direction quickly, much like the real insect. They keep low over the water surface and the edges of ponds. They’re harmless and mainly there for atmosphere, which is exactly why builders love them.
Colour variants
Expect a few colour variants, such as blues, greens and reds. Seeing several variants at one pond is a sign you’ve found a great spot.
Build a pond that attracts dragonflies
- Pick a spot in a temperate biome, ideally plains or forest.
- Dig a shallow pond two to three blocks deep.
- Add lily pads, sugar cane, tall grass and flowers around the edges.
- Keep it open to the sky and well lit so hostile mobs don’t take over.
- Add koi for colour under the surface.
Want more ambient life? Our field guide covers every critter, and our ferret guide helps you get a companion to guard your pond.
Quick answer
Can you catch dragonflies?
Behaviour like catching or bottling varies by version. Check the official changelog for your release.
