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Dragonfly larvae
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Dragonfly larvae

by Charlie Baugh

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted May 12, 201349 views5 comments
I believe they are called "naiads". Said to live as larvae for a year buried in mud at the bottom of lakes, ponds and streams until emerging to finish development before flight. I have no idea of the name and hope Wayne Jones may add some info on these interesting insects.

Olympus E-5
12-60mm w/ 1.4 tc
85 mm FL
1/400 sec tripod
f6.3 -0.7 ev
ISO 100
cropped to approx 40% of FF

Large view

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 12, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Charlie, interesting look at what looks like the husk (technically called an exuvia) of a dragonfly. The white "strings" and the cracked back are signs that the adult has emerged and flown away. The larvae in my pond (eastern usa) crawl around a fair amount and can occasionally be seen under the water. Many dragonfly larvae crawl out late in the afternoon or overnight and then fly off shortly after sunrise, so it can be a challenge finding the the newly hatched adult. If you can find them, they hold very still and make good subjects.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 12, 2013 at 6:02 PM
Great job on this exuvia Charlie, I especially like the 'spotlit' look.
Nice details in the LP, well composed :toast:
And thanx for your comment on the SP, thought it was time I updated it..
At 60, I'm finally coming to grips with all the nooks & grannies :wink:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 12, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Bet you are right, both of you. Guessing this is like cicada shells I find so often. I see the tiny naiads clinging to rocks before emerging but they are very tiny. Never thought about this being a shell but makes sense.

Thanks.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on May 13, 2013 at 1:48 AM
Charlie:

Yes, I think this is an exuvia. I have seen a few but have yet to catch one emerging. Like the way it hangs on the leaf as if it is climbing up.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on May 18, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Very good capture of the exurbia, Charlie. Nice light, detail, and separation from the bg. Thanks for posting.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments