Dragonfly Nymphs Feeding (Libellulidae)

Before you see adult dragonflies darting around a pond they actually spend up to 6 years underwater! Seen here are dragonfly nymphs, the immature stage of a dragonfly that is entirely aquatic. They breathe through gills in their abdomen and have a modified mouthpart that can extend like an arm to catch their food (see slow-mo part of video). In the wild, they feed on a range of live food, from mosquito larvae to small fish or tadpoles.

Here you can see two nymphs feeding on the California blackworm which is found in the same marshes, ponds, and rivers that dragonfly nymphs are found in. These dragonflies are in the family Libellulidae, the largest of the dragonfly families with over 1000 species worldwide.

You can find these and other aquatic insects in the River Zone of our Ecosystems gallery.

Ecosystems is a FREE permanent exhibit. More info: http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/WorldOfEcology/WorldOfEcology...

Category:

Pets & Animals

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