need help about dragonfly larvae

[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..

iv tried going there last summer and keep missing them..i get there and they have hatched and are already flying about.

if i could do this im guessing its going to need a air pump? and cold water(room temp)?

u guys must think im mad but iv been 2 years now with no dragonfly macros.

[Dogghound]

It would be easier to go to a known dragonfly lake early on a bright day and you should find one. It sounds like your going to late in the day. Dragonflys emerge early in the morning.

[macro junkie]

but the lake i go to just say theres 20 larvae in there...how do i know what day there going to hatch?this is why i keep missing them..

[harasseddad]

It's relatively easy to rear damselfly nymphs - I did it as a child in a sweetjar. All you need is a fairly large jamjar, a bit of weed to provide a perch and oxygen, and a supply of food. I used daphnea from the petshop, but you could just catch waterfleas from the same pond. Put a stick in for it to emerge from. Oh, and don't use tapwater - the chlorine isn't good for them! And only put one nymph per container - they're cannibals.

[kiff]

Originally Posted by macro junkie

but the lake i go to just say theres 20 larvae in there...how do i know what day there going to hatch?this is why i keep missing them..

this time a year there emerging on a daily bases you just need to start looking at sunrise if you want to catch the whole process
how do you know there are only 20 in there?

[Toby]

not a good place to emerge with all those mantids in your house!

[RoyW]

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.

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.

[macro junkie]

the comment on will u be there to see it hatch in the jar..well i dont work..im at home all day every day so yes i will

i plan to let it hatch on a stick which il put in sweetie jar with pond water..when i see it crawling up the stick ready to hatch i will careful take the stick out and rest it on somthing so i dont touch it..then il take lots of pics..after i see it harden up il let it go..well tbh it will fly off when its happy as i plan on taken the pics in my garden while its hardening up

1 last Q..do i need to put a small air pump in the jar for oxygen?

[RoyW]

[quote=macro junkie;474304]the comment on will u be there to see it hatch in the jar..well i dont work..im at home all day every day so yes i will/QUOTE]
I still don't believe that you can watch it all the time, and I'd be a little put out if after a few weeks of feeding and intensive observation I only noticed the emergence when it was half over! - be prepared for some early mornings!

Originally Posted by macro junkie

i plan to let it hatch on a stick which il put in sweetie jar with pond water..when i see it crawling up the stick ready to hatch i will careful take the stick out and rest it on somthing so i dont touch it..then il take lots of pics..after i see it harden up il let it go..well tbh it will fly off when its happy as i plan on taken the pics in my garden while its hardening up

No problems there then, and as you say it will fly off when it is ready (usually well before they have fully hardened).

Originally Posted by macro junkie

1 last Q..do i need to put a small air pump in the jar for oxygen?

This depends on the species that you catch. The larvae of some species only live in flowing water because this tends to have a higher oxygen content. However, if you go dipping in stagnant ponds when you try to find your subject you will catch something that can tolerate less oxygenated water (Southern Hawker for example). I can't see how an air pump would do any harm though so if you have one handy in can't hurt to use it.


Good luck!

Roy.

[macro junkie]

ok thank u..in the next couple days im off to find me some larve..oh..when i find some if i can get a pic do u rekon you have the knowledge to tell me when its going to hatch?