How do dragonfly mate?
How do dragonfly mate?
Mating in dragonflies is unique. The male first transfers sperm from near the tip of his abdomen to accessory genitalia near the top of the abdomen. He then grasps a female by the back of the head with his abdominal claspers (tandem position).
What do dragonflies look like when they mate?
Mating has not yet occurred. When ready for insemination, the pair lands, and the female curls her abdomen forward and under the male until the tip of her abdomen meets his accessory organ. In doing so, their bodies form a copulation, or mating, wheel which is vaguely heart-shaped.
Why do dragonflies have two sets of wings?
Dr Usherwood said: “We found that two pairs of wings can allow the dragonfly to produce higher forces, allowing acceleration and climbing, while, if the wings flap with the right timing, the lower wings are able to reduce the energy wasted.”
Do dragonflies have nests?
Dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, where their young hatch and develop into nymphs. They live underwater for months and sometimes years before emerging as adults. They provide hiding and resting places for nymphs and are used as incubation chambers, because some species insert their eggs into the soft stems.
What are female dragonflies called?
Damselfly
Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata.
What is the spiritual meaning of a dragonfly?
The spiritual meaning of dragonflies is the light of God. It also means looking within and dancing – just like a dragonfly. To a warrior and fighter, a dragonfly tattoo represents agility, power, speed, victory, and courage. It also symbolizes rebirth, immortality, transformation, adaptation, and spiritual awakening.
What’s the difference between female and male dragonflies?
If you have a dragonfly in your net or your hand or a really good photo, look for a bump on the underside of the abdomen near its joint with the thorax. If there’s a bump there, it’s a male. If the underside of the dragonfly is smooth, it’s a female. It’s easy!
How does a male Dragonfly get a female?
A male “dances” for a female by showing off his wings and zipping along the water, a behavior that helps to communicate his quality and the quality of his territory. To mate, the male first grabs a female by the back of her neck with claspers at the end of his abdomen — these structures actually fit into species-specific grooves in the female.
Where are the male testes located in a dragonfly?
The male testes are located in segment 9. Due to the unique nature of dragonfly copulation, the male must transfer sperm to his secondary genitalia, called the hamulus, located in the underside of the second and third segments.
What do you need to know about dragonflies?
To do this takes some practice, patience, a magnifying lens, and some basics of dragonfly anatomy. Many field guides incorporate illustrations of appendages to make this easier. Dragonflies of North America, by Westfall and May, has scans of most species. Dorsal and lateral view of the abdominal claspers of a Shadow Darner, Aeshna umbrosa
What are the appendages on the tip of a dragonfly called?
The tip of the male abdomen has appendages, often called claspers, that are diagnostic for most species, especially the Darners, Clubtails and Emeralds. Females have terminal appendages but these are rarely of use in ID except in a few cases where their length may be significant.