Those who have spent time around waterbodies in the US may have caught up in the flight of the dragonflies, the crazy colors, and the shimmering of the sunlight reflecting off them. But have you ever thought of how these cute creatures get start? Our team at SayNoPest is commit to provide and discussing reliable and useful information about the good and bad in the insect world. Today, our venture extends to the digging of dragonfly eggs, finding out their shape, the place of laying, and the process of their becoming the amazing baby dragonfly.
What does Dragonfly Eggs Look Like
The most frequently asked question from people is: What is the picture of the eggs of a dragonfly? The reply to this is a very simple one, but also quite intriguing. Generally, dragonfly eggs are small, round, and their length is around 0.5 mm. The color may be different from place to place in a species. The difference is due to the elongated eggs of some species, especially during insertion into plant material, while the majority of the dragonfly eggs are more or less spherical or ellipsoidal. The jelly-like substances that usually cover these eggs are also a very big reason why they are shield by the predators in most cases, and also by the environmental changes. The dragonflies have whitish or transparent eggs that may be darker as they increase their development.
What is also important is that the eggs are so tiny and camouflag that it is rarely that they are rarely notice by people who are not on the lookout for them. Therefore, if you intend to find some dragonfly eggs, then you better focus on the edges of the water or areas where the water plants are most dense, because these are the places where the dragonfly eggs are usually found.
Where Do Dragonflies Lay Their Eggs?
Dragonflies are completely aquatic, and so is the case with egg laying. The female dragonflies fly, whose typical size is a few batches, distribute a couple of hundred of their eggs within a few days or weeks. Where do the dragonflies lay eggs?
- Directly in Water: This way of laying eggs is follow by the majority of species, and it involves dipping the abdomen in and out of the water and in which eggs are deposit. These eggs are deposit at the low depths, usually in stagnant or slow flowing waters such as ponds, marshes or lakes.
- On or Inside Aquatic Plants: This is a very common behavior of the dragonflies; the insects use the ovipositor to prick the water plants and in doing this way they successfully lay the eggs on the surface of the water plants.This strategy helps protect the developing eggs from aquatic predators.
- On Damp Ground: Rare instances may arise when moistened soils or mud near the water are locations of egg deposition if water plants are not available.
The location itself, among many other things, will decide if the eggs of the dragonfly will survive. Water temperature, the type and the amount of vegetation, and the absence of strong currents are some factors that contribute to the eggs being able to hatch into the next life stage.
Baby Dragonfly: From Egg to Aquatic Predator
So it took one to five weeks, and the magic was done – the dragonfly eggs hatch, and the first stage of the baby dragonfly appeared. This phase is the larva or the nymph, but for all practical purposes, let’s call it the baby dragonfly.
A baby dragonfly is a different species from the adult one that is saw flying over the water. The body has wide and dirty hair. The animal is a water body that has six legs, large eyes, and a mouth shape like a scoop, which is particularly made to ambush prey. The baby dragonfly, as opposed to the damselfly larva, which still has the external gills, the animal gathers its oxygen intake in its internal gills found in the abdomen. This adaptation enables the insect to move very quickly through water, expelling the water out of its tail-end-which is termed as underwater jet propulsion.
The young dragonfly is spending nearly all his brief life in the water, and is feeding on minute water animals, among which are mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and even fry. As it gets bigger, it creates new skin over the old one several times, sometimes even 14 times, before it can change into an adult. Therefore, according to the species, the period that this phase could last will result in being from several months to many years.
When the baby dragonfly has reached full growth and is at an ideal place, it leaves the water by climbing onto land, it takes off its larval skin for the last time, and becomes the familiar figure of a beautiful adult dragonfly that can fly and continue the repetition of the cycle.
Conclusion
The expedition of dragonfly eggs from minuscule, almost invisible globes to powerful aquatic carnivores and then to magnificent aerial hunters is a story of the marvels of nature. Finding out what dragonfly eggs look like, understanding where do dragonflies lay their eggs, and having a look at the changing of the baby dragonfly can lead you to a deeper appreciation of the good insects.
At saynopest, we are of the opinion that conveying correct, interesting information about the insect life of all the stages—dragonfly eggs that are generally unnoticeable—helps to develop a balanced view of pest control and environmental stewardship. Next time you spot a dragonfly skimming the surface of a pond, remember the incredible journey that began with a single, tiny egg.
