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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Pond Babies: Dragonflies and Diving Beetles

Two weeks ago I told you I'd fill you in when I found dragonfly nymphs in our pond. I wasn't expecting to be able to give you this update so quickly, but SURPRISE, nature moves fast, people! In the last few weeks, I've found more than 50 dragonfly exuviae (the papery exoskeletons shed between molts) attached to the rocks of the pond. Of course, this prompted me to take out my dip net and look for nymphs in the water.

Here's a picture of one I found:

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum, nymph
Found May 5, 2012

While I was dipping for the dragonfly nymphs, I found a lot of other macro-invertebrates. The list isn't very long, yet, but includes immature mosquitoes, chironomid midges, mayflies, and predacious diving beetles!

Mayfly nymph found May 5, 2012

 Predacious diving beetle larva found in pond
May 4, 2012

I also found an adult predacious diving beetle
on
May 5, 2012






3 comments:

  1. I watched a dragonfly emerge from the nymph stage for the very first time last week here in Maine. Amazing! Thank you for teaching me the term, "exuviae." I've watched several more metamorphose over the past week, and have just posted a bunch of photos on my blog. http://www.cathrynfalwell.blogspot.com/

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  2. Cathryn! Thanks for sharing your link. Your images are awesome!

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  3. You've got to love an educated woman.

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