Are damselflies male or female?
The abdomen is long and slender and consists of ten segments. The secondary genitalia in males are on the undersides of segments two and three and are conspicuous, making it easy to tell the sex of the damselfly when viewed from the side. The female genital opening is on the underside between segments eight and nine.
What do azure damselfly eat?
These damselflies are usually found near any body of water, most likely ponds and lakesides in the summer. Azure damselflies are insectivores eating any insect that is smaller than themselves such as flies or mosquitoes.
How do damsel flies reproduce?
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 damsel flies mate?
How do you take care of a damselfly?
Immediate care and handling Include some aquatic plants or sticks that extend above the water line, as the nymphs will need to crawl out of the water to emerge as adults. The nymphs keep satisfactorily at 10 to 31° C (51 to 87° F). Do not place them in direct sunlight.
Do damselflies pollinate?
The dragonflies and damselflies may rest on flowers, but they catch insects for food and don’t carry enough pollen from flower to flower to be considered pollinators.
What does a damselfly nymph look like?
Damselfly larvae (nymphs) are aquatic, slender, usually drab insects, with 6 thin legs, large eyes, and small wing buds on the back of the thorax.
How long do damselflies mate for?
five minutes
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.
What is the difference between male and female azure damselflies?
Both male and female azure damselflies measure 33mm long; however, the females have more black segments and are more of a flossy green color rather than the male’s blue coloring.
What is wrong with the azure damselfly?
Although the azure damselfly is widespread and presently the commonest member of its genus, its population trend is unclear and it may suffer from habitat loss in some parts of its range. Pollution and vegetation clearance represent potential threats to this species. REFERENCES
What does an azure damselfly larva look like?
Larva: A typical small damselfly larva, ranging in colour from brownish to various shades of green. The antennae have seven segments. Distinctive spotting behind the eyes reliably distinguishes the azure damselfly from most similar species. Two dark bandsoccur across the upper portion of each leg.
Where do azure damselflies live?
The Azure Damselfly is widely distributed in VC 55, finding a variety of habitats suitable to its needs. Well-vegetated, sheltered habits are favoured, but these may take the form of ponds, small to medium sized lakes, slow-flowing rivers, canals and garden pools.