Tuesday 23 February 2016

Moulted Hairy Dragonfly Nymph Skin

After photographing a Hairy Dragonfly nymph the other night after it had just completed a moult, I carefully removed the 30mm long skin that had been left behind. Dragonflies can moult up to 15 times during their nymph life cycle, each time leaving behind a perfect skin which most often I suspect, sinks to the bottom of the water where we would never see it and be able to study it. The white strings you can see are the tracheal linings, part of the respiratory system. I spent some time tonight taking a number of photos of the skin in a white tray from various angles, trying to capture details we would never get to see normally. Being quite a dark colour, it was not the easiest of subjects to photograph, despite the fact that it wasn't going to go anywhere! However using manual mode, in camera flash, ISO 400 and speed set to 250, I ended up with a number of pleasing images which I hope show off this super nymph skin in some detail. I shall keep monitoring them and hopefully continue to learn more about them and maybe see one hunting and catching prey or even completing another moult from start to finish. It will be March soon and only a month or so to wait until hopefully, I get the chance to capture one emerging all being well!

Side View 

Side View  

Top View  

Side View  

Side View  

Business end of a Hairy Dragonfly Nymph skin 

 Head  

Underside View 

Underside View showing female genitalia


8 comments:

  1. Nymph skin is like a little work of art!

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    1. It sure is Anne. Great to be able to study and photograph for others to see.

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  2. As Anne has said, you are an artist Marc, nothing left to say, but fantastic images.

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  3. It amazes me that the nymph is able to extract itself with such skill as to leave the skin intact and pristine. Incredible to see these Marc. Thanks for posting them!

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    1. Many thanks Lucy. It amazes me too. Nature can be bloody brilliant!!

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  4. Incredibly detailed images Marc, all fascinating stuff :-)

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    1. Thanks Warren. Hardly anyone photographing this part of nature so I am happy to be filling the gap and hopefully educating a few people about these fascinating insects.

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