Dragonflies - a flying squad of predatory insects.Representatives of this group of animals common in the tropics, subtropics and temperate regions.Today there are about six thousand representatives of this group.For these insects typical indirect method of development, which includes a transitional stage (dragonfly larvae) and adult stage (the adult).As larvae and adults are the basis of the diet of some species.What are the dragonflies?
How are the adults?
Before dragonfly larvae will be considered, you must know more about the way of life of these insects.The adult is quite large, with a strong and mobile head.Authority act of huge compound eyes, which occupy the entire top of the head.Insect body consists of an elongate and the thoracic and abdominal portion.Limbs dragonfly developed not too much, but they are arranged rows of bristles, which play the role of trapping basket - so it becomes possible to hunt in flight.
In this group there are two pairs of wings that are almost the same size and are actively involved in the flight.
The dragonflies feed on?As already mentioned, this predatory insects.Their prey species are smaller.Mostly it's gnats, mosquitoes and other pests.The very same dragonfly usually becomes food for fish.
reproduction and development of dragonflies
These insects mate in flight.On the abdomen can be seen developed copulatory organs - in a manner easy to distinguish male from female.Another interesting feature - the male copulatory apparatus removes foreign female sperm before putting back his.Such a phenomenon is unique in the wild.
Then the female lays fertilized eggs.Typically, ovipositor is carried out either in water or in aquatic plants and much less in moist soil.From each egg, the light appears dragonfly larvae.
dragonfly larva
larvae of these insects live in water.Their body is painted in olive-brown color.They breathe using gills and rectal body through the covers.These creatures are inactive, but the way their movement is worthy.First, through the anus sucked portion of water, which is then high-pressure jetted therefrom.Recoil force of an insect repellent in the opposite direction.In addition, dragonfly larvae can swim with the help of the gill plates that perfectly replace the fins.
Another feature of larvae - is the presence of so-called masks, which is represented by the enlarged lower lip.The mask acts as a grasping device.Insects at this stage does not actively hunt - most of the time they sit at the bottom or attached to aquatic plants, waiting for prey, which is then grasp quickly throwing forward mask.
dragonfly larva feeds mainly Daphnia, mosquito larvae and other insects.Before the last insect molting selected on shore and attached to the plant.It is here that the transformation of the larvae into the adult form - imago.
Types dragonflies
worth noting that dragonflies are a fairly widespread group of insects.The detachment has divided into two main suborder:
- damselflies.Representatives of this group have equal-sized pairs of wings.Because of this structure is characterized by mild to insects, fluttering flight.The larvae of dragonflies live in flowing or standing water.
- Raznokrylye dragonflies.These insects have two pairs of large, almost transparent wings.At rest their wings are placed perpendicular to the abdomen.It is worth noting that the members of this group are considered as one of the fastest insects.The larvae live in the water either, or in the swamp.
Interestingly, experienced fishermen often and successfully used as the bait of these insects.
