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Originally Posted by macro junkie  is is possible to raise a dragonfly larvae for a few weeks before it hatches?
would it eat tag poles?
the reason for this is i want to get some macro pics of it emerging..soon as i have the images i will release it unharmed..im just wondering if i could do this.. |
It wouldn't be difficult to raise a dragonfly (or damselfly) larvae, and they aren't fussy eaters so could be fed on practically any other small pond creature.
How sure are you that you will catch the emergence though?
Damselfly larvae can emerge at any time during the day (although most emerge during early to mid morning), dragonflies typically emerge at night (for hawkers) or very soon after dawn - are you likely to be watching everyday at these times?
The other problem you might have (if you intend to release the dragonfly unharmed) is that you will not be able to handle it once it has emerged - the body takes several hours to harden properly, and can be very easily damaged during this time.
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Originally Posted by macro junkie iv tried going there last summer and keep missing them..i get there and they have hatched and are already flying about. |
It's most likely that the dragonflies that you are seeing flying about are mature ones that emerged at least a week before your visits. Newly emerged dragons and damsels fly away from the water and usually stay away while they mature. As others have already said, you will need to get to your chosen site at dawn and then carefully search the vegetation near the waters edge for emerging larvae.
Roy.