Dieren en planten
- Southern hawker, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Dragonflies and damselflies
Dragonflies are large predator insects with a long hind body (abdomen) and large composite eyes. They are excellent fliers. A dragonfly fly makes a rustling sound when in flight. The densely veined wings are sturdy, the back wings being broader than the front wings. Large dragonflies can easily cross over to the Wadden Sea and are sometimes seen on the islands in massive numbers. The larvae live in fresh water. They are true predators, just like their parents. They eat mainly aquatic insects. Some species can live for years in water as larva. Adults don't live more than several months. Damselflies resemble dragonflies but are thinner with four equal wings. They are not such good flyers.
- Adaption to water
- Common blue damselyfly, Sytske Dijksen, www.fotofitis.nl
Larvae from dragonflies are totally adapted to water. Before becoming mature, they go through nine to sixteen stages, which can take between several months and five years. They swim under water with three appendages, the plates, using internal gills to breath. In the last stage, the larvae crawl out of the water early in the morning to shed. The back side of the larva breaks open and the dragonfly appears. It takes another several weeks before the animal is sexually mature. In contrast to butterflies, dragonflies have no pupa stage.
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