how do damselflies mate

How do damselfly

mate? During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface.

Full Answer

How long does it take for a damselfly to mate?

Mating lasts less than five minutes in banded demoiselles, though can take longer in other damselfly and dragonfly species. Afterwards the pair separate, but the male guards the female from rivals while she lays her eggs.

Do damselflies lay eggs under water?

Damselfly. Female damselflies normally use a bladelike ovipositor to place eggs inside plant tissue. Several species frequently lay eggs under water, the female at times remaining submerged for an hour or more. A male, usually her last mate, often waits above and may help her rise from the water after she surfaces.

How do male Demoiselles mate?

The male removes any sperm that the female has already received, then inserts his own. Mating lasts less than five minutes in banded demoiselles, though can take longer in other damselfly and dragonfly species. Afterwards the pair separate, but the male guards the female from rivals while she lays her eggs.

Are there any female damselflies?

The female Damselflies are found in two forms, one is similar to the male pattering and the other is distinct in appearance. The type resembling the males, the andromorph (Wiktionary -An organism with male physical characteristics) are just one third of the total female population.

How does a damselfly mate?

To mate, damselflies join together in the “wheel” position and commonly fly in tandem this way. Afterward, the male will usually remain attached to the female as she lays eggs. When doing so he retains his grip on the front portion of the female's thorax, using claspers located at the tip of his abdomen.

How do dragonflies 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).

How do dragonflies mate while flying?

When a male has attracted a receptive female, he grasps her behind the neck with a pair of pincers. The female then curves her abdomen under the male's so that the sperm can be deposited. In this locked position, they often take flight in an aerial "mating circle" that's said to be unique among animals.

How do dragonflies mate and lay eggs?

After copulation, the male may immediately release his mate and fly away, or he may follow her around to guard her from other males while she lays her eggs in water. In some species, the pair will stay in tandem during the whole egg-laying process.

How do you tell if dragonflies are mating?

1:414:30Dragonflies Mating: NARRATED - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook again at males perching. And you will notice a pair of extensions. From each one's tail. ThoseMoreLook again at males perching. And you will notice a pair of extensions. From each one's tail. Those are claspers that he uses to reach behind him and grab onto a plate on the females head or thorax.

What does it mean when two dragonflies are stuck together?

Have you noticed dragonfly pairs flying about connected tail-to-head? The common explanation is that the dragonflies are mating.

Do dragonflies form a heart when they mate?

When dragonflies are mating they form a heart shape with their two bodies, like a flying valentine. They've come up with an admirable solution to an anatomical quandary. A male dragonfly has clasping organs at his tail end, and these fit into grooves in back of the female's head.

How do damselflies lay eggs?

During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface. The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water.

How do dragonflies make babies?

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.

How do bugs mate?

Insect sex is, for the most part, similar to other animal sex. For most insects, mating requires direct contact between a male and a female. Generally speaking, much like humans, the male of the insect species uses his sex organ to deposit sperm into the female's genital tract spurring on internal fertilization.

What is the lifespan of a damselfly?

2 months to 3 yearsDamselflies live for 2 months to 3 years as nymphs, undergoing five to 15 molts as they grow. At this stage, naiads like the adults, are fierce predators. They prey on freshwater organisms, mosquito larvae, various small aquatic insects and other arthropods within their reach.

What is the life cycle of a damselfly?

Damselflies are insects. They have three stages in their life cycle: egg - larva - adult. They have a long and slender abdomen, two pairs of wings and three pairs of long legs.

What is the section between the damselfly's head and abdomen that houses the massive muscles that power its wings?

2. Strong thorax This section between the damselfly’s head and abdomen houses the massive muscles that power its wings. The thorax is a very robust, rigid structure with internal bracing to withstand the forces exerted by the muscles.

What are the legs of banded demoiselles?

4. Spiny legs The legs of banded demoiselles are covered in long spines. This is an adaptation to help catch prey – a demoiselle positions its legs in front of its head, forming an efficient ‘net’ to scoop up insects in midair.

How long do banded demoiselles live?

Reproduction is a top priority for banded demoiselles as they only live a few weeks as winged adults. Having spent two years as aquatic larvae, or nymphs, banded demoiselles live only a few weeks as winged adults. Reproduction is now their top priority.

How many wings does an Odonata have?

Two pairs of wings All members of the Odonata – that is, damselflies and dragonflies – have four wings. The two pairs move independently, giving great agility – the insects can hover and even fly backwards. 7. Sperm-transfer organs The male has secondary genitalia under the second and third segment of his abdomen.

What are the displays of Demoiselles?

1. Display colours Male demoiselles are territorial and display to the bronzy-green females by flicking their wings open to show off the bright blue patches – both when perched and also in flight, seeming to flutter like a butterfly.

How long does it take for an aggression pair to hatch?

They can even be driven into the water. LAYING Females insert their eggs in aquatic vegetation, which hatch in about 10 days. The larvae emerge as adults after 18 or so moults.

Why do females submerge?

SUBMERGENCE Females often submerge entirely to find suitable egg-laying sites – they may rely on trapped air bubbles to breathe.

What is a damselfly?

Damselfly. Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body.

Where do damselflies live?

Damselflies exist in a range of habitats in and around the wetlands needed for their larval development; these include open spaces for finding mates, suitable perches, open aspect, roosting sites, suitable plant species for ovipositing and suitable water quality, and odontates have been used for bio-indication purposes regarding the quality of the ecosystem. Different species have different requirements for their larvae with regard to water depth, water movement and pH. The European common blue damselfly ( Enallagma cyathigerum) for example can occur at high densities in acid waters where fish are absent, such as in bog pools. The scarce blue-tailed damselfly ( Ischnura pumilio) in contrast requires base-rich habitats and water with a slow flow-rate. It is found in ditches, quarries, seeps, flushes, marshes and pools. It tolerates high levels of zinc and copper in the sediment but requires suitable emergent plants for egg-laying without the water being choked by plants. Damselflies' dependence on freshwater habitats makes them very vulnerable to damage to wetlands through drainage for agriculture or urban growth.

How do dragonflies reproduce?

Like dragonflies, they reproduce using indirect insemination and delayed fertilisation. A mating pair form a shape known as a "heart" or "wheel", the male clasping the female at the back of the head, the female curling her abdomen down to pick up sperm from secondary genitalia at the base of the male's abdomen.

What is the name of the group of insects that are similar to dragonflies?

Euphaeidae – odalisques. Polythoridae – bannerwings. † Zacallitidae. $ indicates paraphyletic groups. Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies.

What do nymphs eat?

The nymphs are voracious predators and feed by means of a flat labium (a toothed mouthpart on the lower jaw) that forms the so-called mask; it is rapidly extended to seize and pierce the Daphnia (water fleas), mosquito larvae, and other small aquatic organisms on which damselfly nymphs feed.

What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?

The tenth segment in both sexes bears cerci and in males, its underside bears a pair of paraprocts. Damselflies (except spreadwings, Lestidae) rest their wings together, above their bodies, whereas dragonflies rest with their wings spread diametrically apart; the spreadwings rest with their wings slightly apart.

How many species of damselflies are there in the world?

(There are no damselflies in the Antarctic .) Note that some species are widespread and occur in multiple regions. Overall, there are about 2942 extant species of damselflies placed in 309 genera.

How do damselflies lay eggs?

Female damselflies normally use a bladelike ovipositor to place eggs inside plant tissue. Several species frequently lay eggs under water, the female at times remaining submerged for an hour or more. A male, usually her last mate, often waits above and may help her rise from the water after she surfaces.

What are damselflies called?

Test what you know about bugs with this quiz. Immature damselflies, called larvae (or sometimes nymphs or naiads), are, with very few exceptions, aquatic predators in freshwater habitats such as ponds, streams, and even tree holes. The larvae capture prey by shooting out the long, hinged lower lip, or “mask.”.

How are damselflies different from dragonflies?

Damselflies can usually be distinguished from dragonflies by their thinner, needlelike abdomens and by the way they hold their wings when at rest. With few exceptions, damselflies hold their wings vertically and together, rather than horizontally and spread apart. Also, the four wings are almost identical in size and shape and in the vein patterns. The large eyes of damselflies differ from those of dragonflies in that they are always widely separated, rather than close together or touching each other.

How big are damselfly wings?

Their colours can be stunningly vivid. Wingspans among the 2,600 damselfly species range from 18 mm (0.71 inch) to about 19 cm (7.5 inches) in Megaloprepus caerulatus, a giant damselfly of tropical Central and South America.

Do damselflies mate?

In some species matingis preceded by elaborate courtship by the male. In two families the male hovers in front of the female while displaying his brightly coloured wings, abdomen, or legs, sometimes in combination. To mate, damselflies join together in the “wheel” position and commonly fly in tandem this way. Afterward, the male will usually remain attached to the female as she lays eggs. When doing so he retains his grip on the front portion of the female’s thorax, using claspers located at the tip of his abdomen.

Do damselflies have internal gills?

Most damselflies usually have three leaflike gills at the tip of the abdomen, whereas dragonflies have internal gills. After emerging from the larval stage, the damselfly takes to the air to feed and mate. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The adults prey in flight, mainly on small insects.

How do damselflies catch prey?

As adults, damselflies catch prey during flight with their legs, the hairs of which help ensnare the victim. The damselfly will then use its toothed mandibles to tear them apart, either during flight or after landing.

Where can damselflies be found?

As adults, damselflies can be found flying about in riparian forests, forests with regularly damp soils, occasionally plains, and near ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and really any water body. Water is required for reproduction, so they’re typically not far from a source.

What do damselflies eat?

They feed on a large variety of pest insects, including larval and adult mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Damselfly nymphs and adults also provide a valuable food source for fish, frogs, turtles, and birds.

What order are damselflies in?

Damselflies belong to the order Odonata, which is known to contain incredibly prehistoric organisms that have been around since the Permian period (think of those pictures of eagle-sized dragonflies that you likely were equal parts fascinated and terrified by as a child). As evidenced by the previous statement, dragonflies can also be found in this order.

How long does it take for a damselfly to live?

The life cycle of a damselfly can take anywhere from a few months to three years. Image courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica. Damselflies can spend anywhere from two months to three years as nymphs, depending on environmental conditions.

Why are damselflies important?

These plants will help to filter and oxygenate water, making it more desirable to damselflies. In addition, plants will provide damselfly adults with a place to land, and also a place to lay their eggs since they are exclusively laid inside of plant tissues to help protect and nurture the larvae.

Why are damselfly larvae so desirable?

This makes them a very desirable species to gardeners and ponders alike, as they help to keep pest insect populations in check. Damselfly larvae are most often ambush predators, preferring to hide among plants and substrate until a potential target draws near.

How do dragonflies increase their chances of fatherhood?

A male dragonfly can increase his chances of fatherhood by destroying the sperm of his competitors, and he's well equipped to do so when he mates. Some dragonflies have backward-facing hooks or barbs on their penises, which they can use to scoop out any sperm they find inside their partner before depositing their own.

Why do dragonflies guard their females?

Just to provide an added measure of security for his sperm, the male dragonfly will often guard the female until she oviposits her eggs. He tries to prevent her from mating with any other males, so his sperm is assured the "last in" position that will make him a father.

How do dragonflies distinguish females?

To succeed in passing on his DNA, a male dragonfly must be able to distinguish females of his own species from all the other Odonates flying around. He can recognize a conspecific female by observing her flight style, her colors and patterns, and her size.

What does it mean when a male spots a female?

When a male spots a female of his own species, he must first subdue her. He'll approach her from behind, usually while they are both in flight, and hold onto her thorax with his legs. He might bite her, too. If he hopes to mate successfully, he must get a firm grip on her quickly.

Do dragonflies have courtships?

Dragonflies don't engage in elaborate courtship rituals. In a few dragonfly families, the male might display his colors or fly over his territory to show a potential mate what a good oviposition site he's chosen for their offspring, but that's about it.

Do dragonflies have sex organs?

Dragonflies have secondary sex organs, meaning they don't store sperm near the copulatory organ. He must transfer some sperm from a gonopore, on his ninth abdominal segment, to his penis, which is located under his second abdominal segment. After he's charged his seminal vesicle with sperm, he's ready to go.

Do dragonflies fertilize eggs?

If given the opportunity, a female dragonfly might mate with multiple partners, but the sperm from her final sexual partner will fertilize her eggs, in most cases. Male dragonflies, therefore, have an incentive to make sure their sperm is the last to be deposited in her.