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Dragonfly and it's exuviae.
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Jan 16, 2022 08:24:26   #
ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA
 
Nature can be strange. Reminds me of the Body Snatchers. Great info and photos, Doc.

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Jan 16, 2022 08:41:20   #
docshark Loc: Millersville, PA
 
ecobin wrote:
Nature can be strange. Reminds me of the Body Snatchers. Great info and photos, Doc.


Thanks Elliott. Yes that is a very strange exuviae. So glad you liked them. Take care my friend.
>i< Doc

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Jan 16, 2022 08:43:01   #
randave2001 Loc: Richmond
 
Quite fascinating, Doc.

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Jan 16, 2022 09:14:12   #
docshark Loc: Millersville, PA
 
randave2001 wrote:
Quite fascinating, Doc.


So glad you think so Dave. It was quite an interesting exuviae. I thought others might find it interesting too. In the middle of the doldrums now. 4 months to next dragon season. Take care my friend.
>i< Doc

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Jan 16, 2022 10:05:48   #
angler Loc: StHelens England
 
Excellent set Doc.

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Jan 16, 2022 10:44:50   #
sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri
 
Doc, this is a super-fantastic series.

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Jan 16, 2022 12:02:56   #
Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas
 
Very good sets, Tony.

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Jan 16, 2022 12:53:42   #
relbugman Loc: MD/FL/CA/SC
 
Ahh! You made me learn something new! I've used 'exuvia' in the past, thinking it was ONE cast skin. But that's a neologism, not a 'real' Latin word, and not in general use (e.g. not in the Webster's on-line). And 'exuvium' means something else - booty or spoils! Exuviae is a plural noun that is used for any cast body covering, whether in pieces or whole, always pleural form. Thank you, good to know! A little less ignorant now - one word at a time.
Curious: is the breathing/jet/anus orifice at the end of the terminal spike in the nymph? (Guess I have a bit more ignorance to dispel.)

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Jan 16, 2022 13:15:31   #
artesdecobo
 
docshark wrote:
Dragonflies of different species lay their eggs in different ways - on plants, in water, in plants (in slits they make with their ovipositor) or splashed onto a wet muddy bank or moss colony. The eggs hatch in days or may overwinter in some species. The naiads will then grow and go through 5-17 instars where they will shed their outer skin (exuviae) over a period of several weeks to 5 years again depending upon species and latitude. When their growth is complete and the time is right they will climb a sturdy emergent plant or crawl out on the bank or on to a rock to emerge as an imago (adult dragonfly).
On a trip to Florida a friend gave me the exuviae of a dragonfly I went down there to photograph. I was late for their emergence but was there in the middle of the flight season.
The exuviae is that of a Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni). You can see the place where this dragon emerged if you look between the wings pads. From that 3/8" wing pad comes wings about 1 1/2". Amazing.

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

As you can see the last segment of the exuviae is quite long. This is quite unusual for this body segment.

Here is the adult of this species. It is quite easy to see the reason for the name forceptail.

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Enjoy and have a great day!

>i< Doc
Dragonflies of different species lay their eggs in... (show quote)


Highly educational and great images. Thanks, Doc.

Bubba

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Jan 16, 2022 14:26:17   #
Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England
 
Very interesting narrative and great shots Doc.

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Jan 16, 2022 14:32:31   #
Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI
 
Very interesting, Doc! I am glad I caught this post. This may be a species where the immature stage breathes through a long snorkel while under water.

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Jan 16, 2022 14:45:32   #
docshark Loc: Millersville, PA
 
angler wrote:
Excellent set Doc.


So glad you enjoyed it Jim. It's a very strange skin but the emerged adult is just beautiful. (Well, at least it is to me.)
>i< Doc

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Jan 16, 2022 14:48:26   #
docshark Loc: Millersville, PA
 
sippyjug104 wrote:
Doc, this is a super-fantastic series.


Thanks for that Gary. Nothing like your shots. It was just a 100mm macro hand held with a small light source. I have just found this a very interesting shed and the transformation from naiad to adult is amazing to me.
>i< Doc

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Jan 16, 2022 14:51:13   #
docshark Loc: Millersville, PA
 
Earnest Botello wrote:
Very good sets, Tony.


Thanks Ernie. I appreciate the fine assessment of my work. I just thought people would appreciate the difference between the naiad and adult.
>i< Doc

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Jan 16, 2022 17:17:15   #
merrytexan Loc: georgia
 
docshark wrote:
Dragonflies of different species lay their eggs in different ways - on plants, in water, in plants (in slits they make with their ovipositor) or splashed onto a wet muddy bank or moss colony. The eggs hatch in days or may overwinter in some species. The naiads will then grow and go through 5-17 instars where they will shed their outer skin (exuviae) over a period of several weeks to 5 years again depending upon species and latitude. When their growth is complete and the time is right they will climb a sturdy emergent plant or crawl out on the bank or on to a rock to emerge as an imago (adult dragonfly).
On a trip to Florida a friend gave me the exuviae of a dragonfly I went down there to photograph. I was late for their emergence but was there in the middle of the flight season.
The exuviae is that of a Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni). You can see the place where this dragon emerged if you look between the wings pads. From that 3/8" wing pad comes wings about 1 1/2". Amazing.

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

As you can see the last segment of the exuviae is quite long. This is quite unusual for this body segment.

Here is the adult of this species. It is quite easy to see the reason for the name forceptail.

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Enjoy and have a great day!

>i< Doc
Dragonflies of different species lay their eggs in... (show quote)


these are beautiful shots, doc, and interesting and excellent information as usual!

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