It was only a week or so ago that I was looking through some photos on Flickr when I come across some photos of a Red veined Darter with exuviae which had been taken by Jon Mee, a fellow enthusiast. This is an exuviae that I have not yet found for my collection and have been keen to add this over the past couple of years. Jon has kindly sent me a few exuviae in the past of a few species and after contacting him about the location of the photos, Jon kindly offered to send me a Red veined Darter exuviae in the post which has surprisingly been successful. After a visit to the post office early in the week to collect my parcel, I was soon in possession of my first ever Red veined Darter exuviae and spent a while studying the features of this exuviae. The most obvious feature is the two dark stripes on the top of the abdomen which show out well as well as the large eyes and lack of mid dorsal spines. I spent an hour this evening taking a number of photos from different angles which I think show off these features quite well. Another good one for the collection and again, many thanks to Jon Mee for sending me this exuviae.
Side view
Head (note the large eyes)
Side view
Side view of head
Top side
Top side
Top side
Showing the large eyes
underside
The Mask
Red veined Darter Exuviae (note the two dark stripes on the abdomen)
Beautiful images Marc, I love them.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. One that I am very pleased with to have added to the collection. They completely fascinate me.
DeleteSorry not to have visited your blog for a while, Marc, but as you have probably figured out, I've been away on the Isles of Scilly.
ReplyDeleteHow kind of Jon Mee to send you that exuvia specimen! However, I'm sure he was comfortable in the knowledge that you'd take great care of it and would produce the superbly detailed images that you have done.
The time is getting nearer, but I expect that it will reach you before me!
Best wishes - - - Richard
Its a great addition to the collection and as they are generally a hard species to see sometimes in the UK, a privilege to have an exuviae to study and photograph. Only a few weeks I hope until they emerge. I've been keeping an eye on a few Large Red Damselfly nymphs in my pond and during darkness with a torch, a few are starting to come nearer the surface in preparation.
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