The following photo galleries, shown in reverse-chronological order, feature four female Slender Spreadwing damselflies (Lestes rectangularis) spotted photowalking at Huntley Meadows Park on two days during September 2014: Gallery 1-2 (26/09/2014); Gallery 3-4 (23/09/2014). All four individuals are shown laying eggs (oviposition).
…females oviposit solo, unusual in spreadwings, and about a foot above water. Eggs commonly laid in cattails, one (1) egg per incision. Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 1682-1683). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Gallery 4
Copyright © 2014 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Family Lestidae (Spreadwings), female, hemi-marsh, Huntley Meadows Park, Lestes rectangularis, oviposition, ovipositor, Slender Spreadwing damselfly, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
October 17, 2014 at 5:17 am |
Great captures. I continue to be amazed that the bodies of damselflies and dragonflies are so flexible that they can be contorted into such unusual-looking positions.