damselfly/dragonfly larvae

rooftop · #1 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 06:49 PM

Hi Wabbers,
This little fella or lass energed from the mud in the bottom of our pond when we noticed a big crow picking at the edge of the pond! Is it a dragonfly larvae? He didn't waste any time in hurtling back into the water, mud, and weeds at the edge of the pond in olympic time.

King Edward · #2 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 10:23 PM

Definitely a dragonfly nymph. Possibly Broad-bodied Chaser.

rooftop · #3 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 10:26 AM

Many Thanks King Edward,
Any idea how long he or she [ and I suppose his pals] might stay in the pond before emerging? The pond was only dug, filled and planted 'up' in February this year.
Ta Rooftop

King Edward · #4 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 10:32 AM

I suspect this one came in with plants or mud from another pond - looks too old to be this year's offspring. If that is the case, I guess this is a one year old nymph which should be full grown by the end of this year, will overwinter in the pond and emerge next spring around May.