Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) Exuviae

One of my challenges last year was to photograph the emergence of the Banded Demoiselle and after what seemed an age of late evenings and early mornings, I was able to achieve this rarely seen sight. This also resulted in another prize, that being that I would be able to add the exuviae of this species to my growing collection. With the season still a few months away and a few exuviae of different species still to photograph, I spent an evening during last week photographing this exuviae from a variety of angles. They have a very unique shape in that they look rather like a stick insect with long spider type legs. The horn like antennae are very long and the caudal lamellae are long and narrow with usually 2 pale bands. When I have netted them, they are soon on the move in the net so are quite conspicuous to see and having photographed them a few times in the tank, they often move very much like a 'Jack Snipe' with a rocking bouncing action which I assume helps with breathing and also breaks up their shape when hunting in the flow of the stream or river. Although this species is generally numerous, I have spent many an hour looking for their exuviae but have so far never found one in the 'wild'. Maybe this year, I will be able to find one with enough perseverance and a bit of luck. With not many photos at all on the internet of a Banded Demoiselle exuviae, I hope the photos go a little way to helping others with some of the identification features required on this species.

 

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (showing mask)

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (showing labial palps)

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (showing shape of mask)

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (underside)

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (showing head shape)

Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (caudal lamellae)



Banded Demoiselle Exuviae  (top side)