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Dragon flies Mating


Dragon flies Mating
Photo Information
Copyright: Akshay Harith (S_Akshay) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 31 W: 14 N: 130] (729)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon DSLR D50, Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-19 9:54
Viewed: 10251
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 19
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Odonata

Suborder: Epiprocta

Infraorder: Anisoptera


A dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body.

Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes, midges, and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. They are therefore valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Dragonflies do not normally bite or sting humans, though they will bite in order to escape, if grasped by the abdomen.

Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, often on floating or emergent plants. When laying eggs, some species will submerge themselves completely in order to lay their eggs on a suitable surface. Most of a dragonfly's life is spent in the larval, (naiad, that is, nymph) form, beneath the water's surface, using internal gills to breathe, and using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles and fish. The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years. In smaller species, this stage may last between two months and three years. When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant at night. Exposure to air causes the larva to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, waits for the sun to rise, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on midges and flies. The adult stage of larger species of dragonfly can last as long as four months.

Male Dragonflies are capable of hovering followed by rapid acceleration. Some nymphs even hunt on land, an aptitude which could easily have been more common in ancient times when terrestrial predators were clumsier. Giant dragonflies can glide for 20 meters at 10 degrees and a speed of 74 cm per second which is similar to some birds. They capture their prey by clasping them in legs studded with spikes. Prey can not escape by diving away because dragonflies always attack from below.

Hello everyone,
We (My cousin brother Goutham,My father Satish,Ganesh(coolnik) and murali uncle)went to omkar hills on the 17th of may.We found cicada and got some goog pictures of that insect which my brother goutham has posted.On the way,we also got the mating of these dragonflies.it flew and sat on an other perch in which we got the goog diffused BG.
aes_thor, vanderschelden, mbasil, smitha, gannu, JORAPAVI has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-05-19 9:56]

Hi. Time is very short tonight as i am at work late. just to say a very good picture for now. TFs.
Nick..

Hi,
great macro, excellent details and nice colours. Very interesting photo.
cheers, TFS
Adrian

Nice Picture Akshay. Sharp picture with a nice backlighting.

- Murali Santhanam

Well done, Akshay.
Very good compo and light.
TFS
Annick

hi akshay
excellent macro!
your lens is really very versatile
good one
very sharp details and god light too
great work
regards
vihang

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 335 W: 148 N: 745] (3320)
  • [2008-05-19 14:04]

Wow, remarkable. Great capture and the technical stuff is perfect. A stunner, Ashkay!
Mike

  • Great 
  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 348 W: 73 N: 1165] (4409)
  • [2008-05-19 19:34]

Dear Akshay,
What an excellent picture of the mating Dragonflies.Excellent POV, great sharpness and details and beautiful lighting.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-05-20 9:24]

Hello Akshay, Very nice shot and great clarity. Excellent sharpness. Ganesh

Good Show junior, no doubt following fathers foot prints....you are going give great impressions. All the very best.

Hola Akshay, excelente captura de estos pequeños insectos que fotografiaste en un momento muy oportuno, gran nitdiez mostrando muy bien sus detalles con luz y fondo de lujo. Saludos
José Ramón

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