Monday, September 05, 2005

dragonfly


dragonfly
Originally uploaded by tardigrade.
Flame Skimmers (Libellula saturata) have been visiting my pond for many years. Like all dragon flies, in repose. their wings are set to the side. The males are bright red and the females are light red-brown.

I have observed very violent mating rituals in this species. The males will perch on a tall stick waiting - not for what I thought, prey...

Then from above, females spotting the males, dive, grab and essentially rape them. The males are then thrown aside in a daze. While the males buzz erratically about the pond for a moment, the females bounce above the water's surface shooting their now fertilized eggs into the pond water.

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