How does the dragonfly reproduce?

How does the dragonfly reproduce?

When dragonflies breed, the male will attach the back of his abdomen to the female’s head and in this position they fly together. They will then find a perch to land on and the male and female mate. The female lays her eggs near or in the water.

Where do dragonfly lay eggs?

Dragonfly larvae require water to survive, so female adults are always searching for water habitats such as ponds, streams and swamps to lay their eggs. The eggs are laid directly into or close to water. Once hatched, the larvae adopt an aquatic lifestyle very different from their parents.

Do dragonflies reproduce sexually or asexually?

In contrast with most of the insect groups in which partheno- genesis is commonly found (Suomalainen et al., 1987), sexual reproduction is prevalent among the Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), and only one example of parthenogenetic repro- duction is known: the populations of Ischnura hastata on the Azores islands …

Do dragonflies lay eggs underwater?

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. But even as nymphs, they are voracious eaters, happily dining on mosquito larvae and other underwater creatures.

Why do dragonflies mate while flying?

Have you noticed dragonfly pairs flying about connected tail-to-head? The common explanation is that the dragonflies are mating. In doing so, their bodies form a copulation, or mating, wheel which is vaguely heart-shaped. When this is accomplished, the pair unfold and fly away to find a suitable place to lay eggs.

How long does it take for dragonflies to mate?

The time of mating varies very much between different species of dragonflies, a rule of thumb is that large dragonflies such as Aeshna mates a very short time (a few seconds), and small dragonflies and damselflies such as Ischnura copulates long time (several hours).

Where do dragonfly larvae live?

Dragonfly nymphs occur in many aquatic habitats. They are especially common near clumps of aquatic vegetation or submerged tree roots. In still water, algae sometimes grows on their backs.

Why do female dragonflies avoid males?

Some female dragonflies go to great lengths to avoid sex—they fake their own deaths. Called sexual death feigning, this behavior evolved to protect females against aggressive males; for instance, female moorland hawker dragonflies risk injury and sometimes death if coerced into mating.

How long are dragonflies pregnant for?

Eggs hatch either within 2–5 weeks or, in the case of the emerald damselflies and some hawkers and darters, the following spring.

What do adult and immature Dragonflies eat?

As adults they eat flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and bees while as juveniles they eat anything from tadpoles and fish to aquatic worms and invertebrates. Can dragonflies bite?

What are dragonflies mating habits?

Dragonflies are usually found around streams and ponds, where they feed, mate, and lay their eggs. The mating habits of dragonflies are conspicuous and unusual. The male generally sets up a territory over a part of a stream or pond which he patrols for most of the day. When a newly emerged female flies into the territory,…

When do dragonflies mate?

In tropical regions, two to three generations of dragonflies may mate and lay eggs each year. In temperate regions, usually only one generation mates and lays eggs. For dragonflies living in temperate regions, mating and egg laying typically occurs in mid to late summer.

How do dragonflies lay egg?

The Golden-ringed Dragonfly lays its eggs by hovering vertically and stabbing its abdomen into stream-beds. Exophytic eggs are round in shape, laid in a jelly-like substance and are deposited loosely into water.