Dragonfly Exuvia

I thought this was pretty cool. These dragonfly exuvia were clinging to the side of a bird blind on a still pond. There were a bunch of other exuvia in the area, but these captured my attention because they were in a mating position with the one on top (male, I assume) holding on to the one underneath. So, I wonder how this happened? Did the male target the female and latch onto her so he would get first mating rights once they emerged as adults?

Habitat: Deciduous forest, on the side of a pond

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I don't know the answer, but they're not wasting any time! One day I hope to see dragonflies as they crawl out of the water. Even some of the most ordinary species really look amazing in that life stage. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Definitely not wasting any time! Other insects do this too, and I find it so fascinating.
  
  You could collect some nymphs from a stream. Or, and perhaps easier, collect some mosquito larvae/pupae from standing water and watch them emerge. It's such an amazing process to observe! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I was thinking about that earlier this week, may do this one day! Posted 6 years ago

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