Emergent Dragonfly
I found this beauty yesterday when it was about midway through freeing itself from its exoskeleton. If I was still teaching, this would be an excellent series to illustrate metamorphosis as well as lay a foundation for the taxonomy of arthropods.
I watched it for about an hour or so and during that time it completely separated itself from the cast off naiad case . The last image was taken about 45 minutes after the first . The insect is completely free of the exoskeleton and is resting and letting its wings harden .
I think this is a female twelve spot but I am not as good on ID with odes as I am with birds or some of the other arthropods so I will gladly stand corrected.
(Click on any)
Emergent Dragonfly
I found this beauty yesterday when it was about midway through freeing itself from its exoskeleton. If I was still teaching, this would be an excellent series to illustrate metamorphosis as well as lay a foundation for the taxonomy of arthropods.
I watched it for about an hour or so and during that time it completely separated itself from the cast off naiad case . The last image was taken about 45 minutes after the first . The insect is completely free of the exoskeleton and is resting and letting its wings harden .
I think this is a female twelve spot but I am not as good on ID with odes as I am with birds or some of the other arthropods so I will gladly stand corrected.
(Click on any)