Reed rocker: description and lifestyle of large dragonflies

Our largest dragonflies belong to this family. Their wingspan varies by species from 8 to 12 cm. The wing plates are uncolored, only Anaciaeshna isosceles has a golden-yellow spot at the base of each wing. On the territory of the European part of Russia there are 16 species of rockers of six genera: the patrolman (Apakh), aeskhna (Aeshna), caliaeshna (Caliaeshna), anatsyeshna (Anaciaeshna), brachytron (Brachytron) and hemianax (Hemianax). Among them there is a species that is found only on the Black Sea coast - Caliaeshna microstigma Schn., and a species that, on the contrary, is distributed exclusively in the northern regions and is very rare in the middle zone - the subarctic rocker Aeshna subarctica Walk. The most numerous dragonflies in our latitudes are the genus Aeshna.

Rocker larvae live in stagnant or weakly flowing water, preferring shallow reservoirs overgrown with aquatic plants. The body length of these aquatic predators reaches 6 cm in older ages, and they can cause serious damage to fish farming, damaging fish fry in fish ponds. Since the legs of rocker larvae are relatively weak, they are not adapted to a wandering lifestyle and sit in the water, attached to various objects and plants, like the larvae of homoptera dragonflies. However, they are also capable of quick throws after the victim, using the principle of jet propulsion when swimming. At the moment of throwing, the larva sharply ejects a stream of water from the hindgut, due to which its body receives a strong push, and the insect moves abruptly in the water. The larval stage of rockers lasts two years.

Read: Family sawflies (Diprionidae)

Dragonflies of the genus Anax are larger than other rockers. Only two species live in the European part of Russia. One, the watchman Parthenope Anaxparthenope Selys, is tied to the southern regions, the other, the watchman-emperor Anax imperator, is more widespread. The watchman Parthenope is a striking example of the romantic attitude of researchers towards beautiful insects. They are often given amazing names, in particular, like this species, which have mythological roots. This dragonfly is named after the ancient Greek siren Partenope, the site of whose death today is Naples, formerly called Partenopeia.

Structure

The dragonfly, the structure of which we are considering in this material, has a long and very thin body.
It, in turn, is connected to the cephalothorax. On the dragonfly’s body we can see three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. It is also important to note that the wings are transparent, they can have the same size and shape, or different. We will talk about this in more detail when we consider the types

The dragonfly, whose structure can vary by species, can belong to one of two main groups:

As you might guess, the first group includes individuals that have wings of equal length and shape, while others have the opposite (one pair can be very different from the other). On the dragonfly's head we can clearly distinguish large eyes and antennae. A little more about the senses. The eyes of these insects are complex. They can be divided into two sections:

the top one, responsible for object recognition;
the lower one, responsible for color recognition.

You've probably noticed that the transparent wings of dragonflies have veins along their entire length, and at their tips there are spots darker than the color of the wings themselves. This device helps avoid wing fractures by reducing vibration during flights.

Remember how flight occurs in other flying creatures. This is a beautiful and synchronized movement of the wings. Dragonflies have distinguished themselves here too; the movements of their wings can be asynchronous when they are balancing, but synchronous to increase speed

It is also important to know that these nimble creatures can reach flight speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.

Biological features of dragonflies

Insects live near fresh water bodies, although they can also be found at a considerable distance from the water.

Dragonflies have a number of abilities that a person could only envy. First of all, this concerns the structure of the eyes and the exceptional vision of the insect. The dragonfly sees in all directions at the same time, which helps it provide itself with food, which requires a very large amount.

Thanks to its unique vision, it rarely becomes prey for other predators. And it can also be difficult for a person to catch it.

The movement of a dragonfly's wings is interesting because they can flap alternately and in any sequence. Only she has such a perfect aircraft. It is this that allows you to move in different directions during flight, hover, and make sharp throws.

The benefits and harms of dragonflies

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of dragonflies. Both larvae and adults are highly voracious and destroy insects harmful to humans. Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, which is an invaluable benefit for people and animals. On the African continent, these long-winged insects eat Tsetse flies in large numbers. In addition, they themselves become part of the food chain of fish and birds. Also, according to research conducted by the Siberian Federal University, dragonflies help transfer up to 7 kilograms of fatty acids from water bodies to terrestrial ecosystems, which are necessary for the proper nutrition of organisms. However, the excessive appetite of the larvae causes quite a lot of damage to fish farms. They eat not only fry, but also the main food of fish (mosquito larvae, daphnia, etc.).

Features and habitat of the dragonfly

The description of the dragonfly should begin with the eyes of this insect, which at first glance seem disproportionate and too large relative to the overall size of the body.

However, dragonflies have so-called facet vision, which is due to the presence of several tens of thousands of small eyes, each of which works independently and is separated from the others by special pigment cells.

The structure of the dragonfly's eyes allows it to see even what is happening behind

Thanks to this strange eye structure, the dragonfly's vision is much better than many other insects and allows it to see everything that is happening behind, on the sides and in front and track prey at a distance of up to ten meters.

The dragonfly's body consists directly of the head, chest and long belly, which ends in a pair of special forceps.

The length of the insect ranges from 3 to 14 centimeters. Coloration is quite varied and can vary from white, yellow and orange to red, blue and green.

The wings have many transverse and longitudinal veins, which serve as reinforcements.

The insect dragonfly is an animal that is one of the record holders for the speed of movement: although the average speed of its flight is usually from 5 to 10 km/h, some species are capable of reaching speeds of up to one hundred km/h when flying over long distances.

So, despite the image of an idly staggering jumping dragonfly, created in one famous fable, this insect is very mobile and leads an active lifestyle.

Dragonflies have three pairs of legs, which are covered with a layer of protective bristles. During flight, the limbs of the insect fold into a “basket” in order to quickly grab prey if it is detected. The wings have dark spots that serve as vibration protection.

It is worth noting that the first jet aircraft took off due to the fact that entomologists shared with designers and engineers this structural feature of the wings of dragonflies, who used this element in the structure of aircraft, which would still crumble as soon as they left the surface of the earth, if would not be dragonflies.

The habitat of dragonflies is very extensive and extends from the territory of modern Europe and Asia to the African continent, Australia and America.

Dragonflies live mainly among meadows, fields and on the edges of forests. A prerequisite must be the presence of a body of water nearby.

Character and lifestyle of the dragonfly

Dragonflies lead a solitary lifestyle, preferring to hunt on their own. Thanks to its specific wing structure, a dragonfly can either hover in the air, making an instant stop, or fly over vast distances, covering several hundred kilometers without rest.

During landing, the dragonfly does not fold its wings, like many other insects, but always leaves them in a straightened state.

The main peak of activity occurs during daylight hours, during which dragonflies fly in search of prey.

During hot hours, they can be observed in huge numbers along the banks of reservoirs and above forest edges.

The flight of a dragonfly is characterized by noiselessness, thanks to which the dragonfly can unnoticed approach its prey.

They can make intricate turns in the air, do somersaults and even fly backwards. Thanks to this ability, dragonflies can easily escape from predators pursuing them.

Born predator

Without exception, all types of dragonflies (both nymphs and adults) feed on insects, often blood-sucking (horseflies, mosquitoes, midges). The dragonfly's body shape is ideal for hunting on the fly. These insects are “lean”, with a pronounced chest and elongated abdomen. The head of a dragonfly is very mobile. There are two complex compound eyes on it, allowing the insect to see everything that happens around and behind, and between these two there are ordinary ones, which serve for orientation in space. The organs of vision are designed in such a way that a dragonfly sees best against the sky. Therefore, she attacks the victim from below. The insect has a powerful mouth (“gnawing,” as scientists say), short antennae and stiff legs covered with hairs that help capture prey. Each representative of the order has two pairs of wings, which are equally well developed. This means that it is a bimotor insect. Dragonflies can fly at speeds of over 55 km/h.

Nymphs of winged insects

Dragonfly nymphs

Dragonfly larva. The hunting mask is clearly visible

Emperor's Watcher Larva Exuvium

Cicada nymphs

Cicada nymphs are distinguished by a thick, clumsy body, smooth and hard cuticle, and thick legs with single-jointed tarsi; forelegs with wide hips and shins covered with spines (a type of burrowing limbs). Young larvae first suck plant stems, and at later stages of development they lead an underground lifestyle and suck plant roots at a depth of 30 cm or more, feeding on the juices of plant roots. The larvae live for several years (sometimes up to 13 and 17 years in periodical cicadas), although the larval lifespan is unknown for most species. After numerous molts, the larvae develop rudiments of wings; The last molt is usually done on trees.

Lifestyle

Insects are excellent flyers; they can reach speeds of up to 55-60 km/h. Their flight is characterized by planning. While looking for prey, dragonflies are able to hover in the air for a while. They fly several kilometers in search of comfortable habitats. Dragonflies are active during the daytime. They love warm sunny days. On a cool morning, adults can be seen basking in the rays of the rising sun. The great rocker is one of the species that are active not only during the day, but also after sunset. They spend the night on the treetops. The adult summer period is from July to September.

Dragonflies are reliable human assistants in the fight against blood-sucking insects. Adults destroy mosquitoes and gadflies on land, and nymphs destroy mosquitoes in bodies of water where pests lay eggs. In a swift flight, dragonflies in flight grab flies and mosquitoes with their paws, and can catch a butterfly or even a small dragonfly.

The larvae thrive in stagnant or low-flowing water with a large number of plants. Weak limbs prevent nymphs from traveling and pursuing prey. They hunt from ambush. During the throw, the larva releases a stream of water, which sharply throws it forward towards the prey. Its breathing mechanism is designed so that the tracheal gills are located in the rectum. The nymph swallows a large amount of water and receives oxygen, the liquid is excreted through the anus. To capture prey, the larvae have a special organ called a mask. This is a modified lower lip, equipped with a movable joint and grasping teeth.

After 2 years of development, the larva moves to land, where it settles on a vertical surface for its final transformation. Her skin dries out and cracks on her back. A dragonfly emerges from the old, tight skin. Her wings are soft and unformed. They wait for several hours for their wings to spread and harden. The final coloring takes several days to complete.

Description of Sympetrum vulgatum

Order – dragonflies (Odonata).
Family – true dragonflies (Libellulidae).
Genus – compressed bellies (Sympetrum).
Species: common dragonfly (Sympetrum vulgatum).

Body structure and coloring

Dragonflies from the genus Sympetrum or compressed bellies are typical representatives of the fauna of Russia. Their body length is 38-40 mm, of which the abdomen accounts for up to 28 mm. The head is large, well defined, mobile. In the imago it is wider than the thorax and is movably connected to the prothorax. The eyes are large, complex, and consist of 20-30 thousand individual facets. The upper part of the organ is responsible for recognizing the outline of objects, and the lower part distinguishes colors. The antennae are presented in the form of short thin bristles. There are three simple ocelli located on the crown. A black stripe runs across the brown head, between the crown and forehead. The mouthparts are of a gnawing type, with strong mandibles equipped with sharp teeth.

The insect's chest contains limbs and two pairs of wings. The posterior part of the prothorax has a vertical projection. A fringe of long hairs grows on it. Black stripes run along the chest seams. The back of the dragonfly is pushed back obliquely, so the wings are behind the limbs. Males of the common compressed belly have a red chest with three black stripes, females are yellow-brown, three stripes are also present.

Dragonflies are equipped with two pairs of wings. In heteroptera, the front pair exceeds the parameters of the rear pair. The wing plate is formed by two chitinous layers and reinforced by veins. Their length is approximately equal to the size of the body. The hind wings are widened at the base. The wingspan of Sympetrum vulgatum is 60 mm, the length of the hind wing is 24-29 mm, the length of the front wing is 33-37 mm. The venation is very dense, large veins contain hemolymph, small veins have no gaps. One of the significant areas is the pterostigma, a thickening in the front of the wings. Outwardly, it looks like a dark spot; during flight, it weighs down the top of the wing, allowing it to increase the amplitude of the flapping.

Information. The common dragonfly lacks the buffy-yellow areas at the base of its wings.

Limbs

The legs of the common dragonfly are black, with a yellow stripe running along the outside. Three pairs of limbs are designed to hold the insect's body and catch prey. They are not used for walking or running. The legs consist of 5 main parts:

On the inside of the leg and thigh there are several rows of spiny bristles. The coxa is the thickest and shortest part of the limb. There are two sharp forked claws on the foot. Long limbs and spines allow them to form a “catching basket” to catch prey in the air.

The abdomen of the common dragonfly is flattened and wide. It consists of 10 full and one rudimentary segment. Each part is formed by an upper and lower chitinous shield. Thanks to the movable joint, insects can freely bend their abdomen. The structure of the organ of males and females is different. Males have special appendages on the last segment to hold the partner during mating. Their secondary copulatory organ is located in the lower part of the second segment. The female's genital opening is between the eighth and ninth segments. Females have an ovipositor. Males have a red abdomen with a black side stripe, while females have a brown abdomen with a black stripe.

Dragonfly larvae are called nymphs or naiads. In appearance and structure they are strikingly different from the imago. Nymphs of the common dragonfly have a massive body 17-19 mm long. Breathing is carried out through internal organs - rectal gills. The larvae take water into the rectum, where gas exchange occurs. The body color is dark gray, greenish or red-brown. The nymphs are covered with a motley pattern.

Interesting fact. To make a sharp dash for prey or to hide from an enemy, the larvae eject a stream of water from the anus.

Beauties

In general, the order of dragonflies stands out among other orders of insects for its aesthetic merits. And it’s basically impossible not to admire the representatives of the family of beauties. For example, beautiful girls are small (up to 5 cm long), thin even-winged dragonflies with a wingspan of no more than 7 cm. The body and wings of males are colored in blue, green, purple shades and have a metallic sheen.

In females, the body is colored, but the wings are not. Beauties prefer the overgrown banks of quiet rivers and small streams. They lay eggs in the leaves of coastal plants; The larvae also try to stay close to the stems and roots. The flight of a beautiful girl resembles the flight of a butterfly.

Homoptera dragonflies

In representatives of the suborder Homoptera dragonflies, both pairs of wings are the same size, and when resting from flying, insects fold their wings and hold them in a vertical position above the body. The flight speed of these dragonflies is much lower than that of heteroptera. The most “bright” representatives of the suborder are:

Dragonfly Beauty girl or dark-winged beauty (lat. Calopteryx virgo), part of the Beauty family (lat. Calopteryg idae). These are medium-sized insects with a wingspan of up to 7 cm and a body length of about 5 cm. The color of the wings of males is bluish-blue, and the body color is greenish-blue with a metallic tint. Female dragonflies are characterized by transparent wings riddled with brown veins and a bronze-green body color. The beautiful female dragonfly lives along the vegetated banks of streams and rivers with a slow flow. The flight period begins in July and ends at the end of September. These dragonflies live in Europe, Siberia, the Far East, China, Japan, Mongolia, and Korea.

Dragonfly

Southern Arrow dragonfly (lat. Coenagrion mercuriale). Quite small dragonflies with a body length not exceeding 3.5 cm and a wingspan of about 4.5 cm. The male dragonfly has a bright blue body color with a dark heart-shaped spot. Females can vary in color from green to red-brown with black spots on each abdominal segment. You can see these insects in the air both in early May and mid-September. Dragonflies fly near large bodies of water or slow-flowing rivers.

Dragonfly

The dragonfly Lyutka-dryad (lat. Lestes dryas) is a representative of the Lyutka family (lat. Lestidae). A small dragonfly with a body length of about 3.5-4 cm and a wingspan of up to 3-4 cm. The color of males and females is the same - bronze-green on top, and with a yellow tint on the sides. The edges of the transparent wings are framed by a brown border. These dragonflies begin to fly from the beginning of July to the first days of September. The lute-dryad dragonfly lives near warm and shallow, sometimes drying up reservoirs with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Dragonfly

Megaloprepus caerulatus is the largest dragonfly in the world. Individuals of this species can reach 10 cm in length and have a wingspan of up to 19 cm. Adult dragonflies feed on spiders, grabbing them in flight directly from the catching web. The wings of these insects are transparent with brown veins, with a wide blue vertical stripe at the tip of the wing. This stripe contains pale blue round spots, sometimes merging into a single stripe. The wide stripe on the underside of the dragonfly's wings is black. The first and second pairs of wings are almost identical in size and structure. The largest dragonfly in the world lives in humid and damp forests in Central and South America.

Dragonfly

Habitats and biology

It is confined mainly to mixed, partly to deciduous forests with natural reservoirs of boreal origin. Habitats: peat bogs with areas of open water, small standing reservoirs and river backwaters with coastal tall grassy vegetation. Eggs are laid primarily on coastal mosses, areas of loose damp soil, and dead plants. Egg development with wintering; The larvae hatch at the end of summer and develop for 3 years. Larvae and adults are predators, hunting smaller invertebrates; Older larvae can attack fish fry and tadpoles. To transform into an adult, the larva crawls onto coastal plants at least 0.5 m high. Adults were recorded from late June to September. Active during the day, they usually fly and hunt near breeding sites, but some individuals can fly many kilometers away. They sit down relatively rarely and are very shy.

Reduction of numbers and protection of the species

Changes in natural habitat conditions affect the abundance of the species. It is steadily declining in Western Europe and some regions of Russia. main limiting factors:

reduction of open water areas;
recreational load on coastal areas;
water pollution;
shortage of lakes and ponds with thickets of telores.

The dragonfly Aeshna viridis is protected in Europe and is listed as a threatened species on the IUCN Red List. A catastrophic decline in population is observed in Belarus and Lithuania; in these countries, the insect is also included in the Red Book. In Russia, dragonflies are protected in many regions: Leningrad, Moscow, Penza, Lipetsk, Novgorod.

Reproduction

The breeding season lasts from June to October. During this period, cavaliers actively patrol areas with ponds and lakes in search of females

Flying over the surface of the water, the male performs intricate acrobatic acts in the air, trying to attract the attention of his partner. Females are limited to rapid flights in a straight line

After mating, the male flies off to patrol the surrounding area again. Females and males mate with different partners. After mating flights, the fertilized female looks for a place to lay eggs. Wet moss or dead parts of the plant are suitable for this.

The female pierces the plant with her ovipositor and lays eggs in several rows. Only in the spring of next year will larvae 3 mm in size emerge from the eggs. Very soon they will begin their first molt. The blue rocker larva undergoes the molting process 10 times.

Living in a reservoir, it actively eats fly larvae, caddis flies and a variety of small invertebrate animals. She hunts with the help of a “mask”, which has 2 claws. During rest, this device is neatly folded under the chest. At the right moment, the larva opens it and sharply throws it forward, as a result the victim falls into a trap.

The way of breathing changes completely, the eyes become larger. The wings, located in small pouches, increase in size.

At dusk, the larva leaves the pond and, coming ashore, climbs onto a blade of grass. After some time, a small crack forms on her back and head, and the final molt occurs. A completely adult insect is born. Its soft wings spread out and after a while harden.

The blue yoke goes on its first flight. The larvae that appeared at the beginning of the season stop growing with the onset of cold weather and only leave the reservoir the following spring to complete metamorphosis. Larvae that were laid at the end of the mating season develop very slowly. They complete the transformation within 2 years.

The life of the imago undergoes 3 periods of development. In the first period of maturation (up to 16 days for females, and up to 12 for males), males show off in dazzling decoration.

The second stage lasts about 60 days and is entirely devoted to the continuation of the family line. During this period, many individuals die. With the advent of the third period, the dragonfly's dazzling outfit fades, its worn-out wings refuse to serve, and the insect dies.

Emperor Watcher (Anax imperator Leach.)

The length of the abdomen is 49-61 mm, the length of the wing is 45-51 mm. The dragonfly A. imperator can be identified even in flight by its very large size and single-color green (without stripes) chest. The Moscow region is the northern border of its development, but this species flies further north. It is rare to see more than one specimen of this dragonfly at a time and only during migration. They are not tied to a place, they are always in flight, and only during the laying of eggs can a female be examined more closely in nature. Hunting flight range is 3-4 km. A. imperator flies from June to September. The larvae of this species live in both standing and flowing waters.

Arrows

Arrows are not as spectacular as beauties, but just as graceful dragonflies. The photo of the graceful arrow, posted below, confirms this fact.

Shooters lead the same lifestyle as beauties, except that they choose more modest prey. And it is not surprising, because the body length of the graceful arrow is only 3.5 cm, while the wingspan is 4.5 cm. The male has an elongated blue chest with a longitudinal black stripe and a black abdomen, as if intercepted by thin blue rings. The wings are narrow and transparent. Some females have a similar coloration, others are rather inexpressively colored and have neither stripes nor rings. Arrows fly slowly and rarely leave their homes. Their larvae live and hunt in the stems and roots of aquatic plants. Distinguishing one species from another within this family is not an easy task. But it is impossible to confuse them with another family of arrows.

Kinds

These living organisms are combined into a whole order of insects

.
Dragonflies
are also, in turn, divided into suborders. Among them, homoptera should be mentioned first. Distinctive features of representatives of this suborder are: small size; light, graceful build, elongated abdomen: the wings of both pairs are equal in size, folding at the back out of flight. The most interesting types include the following:

1. The arrow is graceful. This variety is distributed throughout Europe. Its representatives have a length of about 35 mm and a thin, long abdomen. Their wings are transparent, their legs are gray-dark or black.

The colors of the remaining parts of the body, decorated with a characteristic pattern, are dominated by matte black, blue or greenish-yellow tones.

The dragonfly graceful arrow is often called a string

2. Pretty girl. The length is almost 5 cm. Males have a bluish or metallic tint, sometimes with the addition of greenish tones. The female has transparent, smoky wings with brown-gray veins. The variety is more widespread in Asia; such dragonflies are also found in South Asia.

The male and female of the beautiful girl differ from each other in color

3. The dim lute lives in the European part of Russia in shallow waters overgrown with grass. The color is greenish with a metallic sheen, sometimes green spots stand out against a yellow background.

The lute dragonfly has many different types and colors

The second suborder includes heteroptera. The hind wings of such dragonflies have an expanded base. When not in flight, both pairs of wings are spread apart. Such insects can boast of high flight speed. Among the varieties, special mention should be made of the following.

1. An ordinary grandfather. Such dragonflies reach a length of no more than 5 cm. Their eyes are green. The chest with black oblique stripes has a yellow tint, the abdomen is black with yellow spots on the sides and a longitudinal line of the same color. The legs are dark, the wings are transparent. This variety is found in Central Asia and Transcaucasia.

Dedka ordinary

2. The blood dragonfly lives in Eurasia and North Africa. The size of such an insect reaches 4 cm. This is a red dragonfly

. Sometimes the body of such creatures is orange or yellow-brown. The bases of the wings are amber, the legs are dark. The sides of the chest are decorated with black stripes, the abdomen is whitish below.

The blood dragonfly can combine different shades of red in color.

The third suborder is called: Anisozygoptera. As a rule, its representatives are closer in structure to heteroptera, however, they combine the characteristics of both suborders mentioned earlier.

In total, 6,650 species of dragonflies are known, and more than six hundred of them are fossils. But this is not the limit, because every year more and more new species are discovered.

The most extensive family of this order are true dragonflies, also called flat-bellied dragonflies. It includes about a thousand species. The size of its representatives varies, there are specimens reaching a length of only 3 cm, there are dragonflies longer than 5 cm, the wings of which can have a span of up to 10 cm.

The coloring is also varied, but more often it is brown-yellow, decorated with green and blue bands or reddish patterns.

Red tramp dragonfly

The most common species is the small red tramp. This is a golden dragonfly

(yellowish-red). Such creatures are known for flying high. Except, they are common on all continents.

Grandfathers

Among the features of these dragonflies are the variegated coloration, widely spaced eyes and the presence of a notch at the base of the hind wings in males. Grandfathers are capable of long flights and prefer flowing reservoirs with clean water, where females lay eggs directly in flight.

Common dedka, tailed dedka and horned dedka are the most common species of dragonflies in Central Russia. These names sound funny (as well as “metal grandmother” or “bronze grandmother”), but you need to keep in mind that grandfathers are also called rivermen, and grandmothers – patrolmen. The Common Dedka is a black and yellow dragonfly with transparent wings. The coloring is vaguely reminiscent of wasp.

Dedok larvae are voracious, strong and can burrow into soft mud. And adult grandfathers, oddly enough, are short-lived. They live no longer than a month.

Dragonfly insect. Dragonfly lifestyle and habitat

The dragonfly is one of the most ancient insects inhabiting our planet. Their distant relatives, who lived more than three hundred million years ago (long before the appearance of the first dinosaurs), had very impressive dimensions, exceeding the size of many modern birds.

The wingspan of these prehistoric giant insects reached one meter, it is not for nothing that the name “Dragonfly” is still preserved in English, which literally means “flying dragon”.

In Latin, the dragonfly insect is called “Libella” - small scales. This name is due to the fact that the insect's wings resemble scales during flight.

This insect is very popular among the people, as evidenced by its repeated mention in literature (the famous fable “Dragonfly and the Ant”) and in the modern music industry (the song “White Dragonfly of Love,” which has long been at the top of various charts).

The golden dragonfly, in turn, is considered a powerful amulet that brings good luck.

Reproduction and lifespan

When instinct begins to encourage male dragonflies to reproduce their own kind, they unite with each other and form large flocks, rushing in search of partners. But first, they secrete a capsule with seed and carry it with them until they find a suitable female.

Driven by this goal, they explore territories located in close proximity to bodies of water, since the reproduction of these insects is directly related to such an element as water. But the process of copulation itself in these living organisms occurs in the air.

At the same time, males hold females with their claws, capturing their head. During intercourse, the couple is able to move through the air in a coupled state.

After fertilization, the female partner goes to water (rivers, streams, swamps, ditches, ponds), where she lays eggs, the number of which can reach up to six hundred. They are usually deposited on plants growing above and below water. After a few weeks, naiads (dragonfly larvae, also called nymphs) emerge from such clutches.

The naiad develops and grows in the water element, where it also finds food by hunting. The peculiar vision of the larvae allows them to see their victims only during moments of movement. When hunting, they shoot water at their prey. And in case of danger, the naiad is able to escape from the threat by developing a fairly high speed, which it achieves by pushing air out of the anus.

At the same time, the naiad constantly molts and grows, shedding its tight old skin. And the number of lines can reach up to one and a half dozen. In the final stage, the dragonfly turns into an adult insect. Her wings spread, and she continues her life in the air element.

The duration of feeding of the larvae depends on the amount of food in the immediate vicinity of it. He believes that in this state a dragonfly can live up to five years. True, this is only in exceptional cases, because for the most part the lifespan of such insects, even in all three stages of their existence, is very short.

However, it is directly dependent on the habitat and size of these creatures. On average it is no more than ten months. But the largest individuals, under favorable circumstances in the wild, are quite capable of successfully carrying out their life activities for seven or more years.

These creatures are very useful for humans. After all, they destroy blood-sucking insects in large numbers, pests of forests and agricultural land. In addition, the dragonfly is a pollinating insect, and works to help plants reproduce, along with bees and butterflies.

True, the larvae can cause significant harm. They compete with fry in food, which contributes to a reduction in their numbers.

source

Stamp Germany 1991 Fauna of the World. Dragonfly Green rocker Dragonflies of Belarus

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To begin with, I wanted to explain the condition of the coins.

All my coins, unless stated as UNC, are in collectible condition! I'll explain what this means. All coins were processed at the Voronezh Aviation Plant. The coins were neutrally cleaned and then treated with a nano-anti-oxidation agent. This product penetrates the metal structure at the molecular level and prevents oxidation and corrosion. This treatment provides a protective and invisible layer on the coin, which 100% protects the metal from oxidation and aggressive environments. You can touch coins with your hands and not be afraid that the coin will fade and oxidize! Most importantly, you won’t have to change the coins in your collections and won’t have to clean or wash them every couple of years! The coins shine very brightly and beautifully. Some compare them to PROOF quality. But these coins are not PROOF. Most of the coins were selected from UNC coins before processing, but some were taken from circulation. But all coins were carefully selected and only the best specimens were taken for processing!

These coins are mostly bought for themselves, to create a “Weather Show”, and for resale, the coins are expensive. It's not profitable to sell.

If you add these coins to your collection, they will be significantly different from ordinary coins and will delight you with their brilliance for many years! Prices for all coins are different. It all depends on the year, the mint! Coins are offered for sale on an ongoing basis. There is an absence of some kind, but rarely. Therefore, I apologize in advance.

Please understand that we all think differently, and the quality level of the coin is different for everyone. Some people are interested in coins in UNC condition, some prefer patina-covered reverse coins, many people like polished coins and the like. So it's up to you to decide! I can only offer my humble services and magnificent coins! I'm waiting for your questions.

I also wanted to add that sellers appeared on some resources with my coins, supposedly also processed at the Voronezh Aviation Plant. I can assure you that I do not sell my coins wholesale or for resale! I am the only one who processes coins and I am the only one who sells them on all resources!

All scans presented in the lot are original. The scans were made in maximum resolution and of exactly the brands that are sold. Payment: Payment must be made within 3 calendar days from the date of purchase of the lots. After purchasing the lots, you will be sent the details agreed with you for transferring funds to your chosen payment method. If payment is not made on time without reminders or warnings - negative feedback. I ask you to take your purchases seriously. If you have any unexpected problems or situations, just write to me! We will solve everything!

Sberbank card **********3451, Yandex money without %! Web money +10% PayPal +10% Phone top-up MTS, TELE 2 +10% Qiwi +10% Transfer using the Contact system, Zolotaya Korona, Unistream, Western Union - from 2000 rubles!

Delivery and dispatch

1. All your purchases will be securely packaged and shipped within three business days.

2. I send it in a plastic envelope, registered mail or parcel post.

3. I combine lots into one shipment (if technically possible)

4. Price may vary slightly depending on region and weight.

5. I keep the shipping receipt for 30 days. After this period, claims will not be accepted!

6. After sending the correspondence without reminders, I will send the track code.

7. There is no personal meeting.

Exchange of reviews I post a review after receiving feedback from the buyer! Making claims There may be a case when you received coins or other goods and you obviously didn’t like it or didn’t like it for one reason or another. Don't get upset, panic or write a negative review! You can return the purchased lots to me within 5 days after receipt, having paid for the shipping and I will return the funds you spent to your Sberbank card minus the cost of sending the goods to you. I only issue refunds to a Sberbank card! There are no other methods of return.

You can see the quality of processing of Russian coins below by clicking on the coin denomination:

5 kopecks 10 kopecks 50 kopecks 1 ruble 2 rubles 5 rubles 10 rubles Bimetal

You can see the quality of processing of USSR coins below by clicking on the coin denomination:

1 kopeck 2 kopecks 3 kopecks 10 kopecks 15 kopecks 50 kopecks

You can also see a comparison of coins of different condition with coins in Collectible condition:

COINS AND STAMPS. Products are offered at several Auctions. If purchasing large quantities, ask before purchasing!

I do not sort coins and stamps into varieties, different stamps, etc.

All lots sold in quantity and assortment are not checked by me for variety.

If you are interested in a specific type of coin or stamp, please request an additional photo of a specific coin or stamp!

Russian Post has changed the cost and conditions for sending correspondence. Now letters and parcels are accepted only by 1st class or parcel. Therefore, we had to increase the cost of shipping

Coins from 150 rubles, stamps and bonds from 120 rubles. Russia. Abroad coins, stamps, bonds from 350 rubles!

In any case, we do not take extra and do not make money on delivery.

Classification of modern dragonflies

The unique features of morphology and behavior did not allow dragonflies to be combined with other insects and they were separated into a separate order Odonata.

It is worth noting that dragonflies also belong to the infraclass of ancient winged insects, that is, insects that are not able to fold their wings behind their abdomen. It is interesting that in the entomofauna of the planet, in addition to dragonflies, only mayflies have this feature.

The order Odonata includes 3 suborders:

Anisoptera or heteroptera dragonflies, in which the rear pair of wings is wider than the front at the base;
Zygoptera or homoptera dragonflies have wings of exactly the same shape and size;
Anisozygoptera is an extremely small suborder of dragonflies preserved from the Mesozoic era (251 - 68 million years ago), including only 4 species. Their representatives have characteristics of two main suborders.

Suborders of dragonflies form dozens of superfamilies and families. The most famous families of Homoptera are the lutes, beauties, pseudocrests, flatfoots and arrows. Among the representatives of heteroptera, the most studied are club-bellies, true dragonflies, grandmas, grandfathers and rockers.

Dragonfly families include genera and many species with similar morphology and some individual characteristics.

Dragonfly in flight.

Dragonfly.

Dragonfly in flight.

Dragonfly.

Dragonfly large rocker: appearance

Dragonfly large rocker, photo

The great rocker dragonfly (Aeschna grandis) belongs to the family and genus of the rocker dragonfly. This is a rather large insect, the length of its body reaches 60-75 mm, and the length of its hind wings - 45-50 mm.

Male dragonflies have a brown or brown body with blue spots on the side of the abdomen. Females have a brown body with yellow spots on the abdomen and yellow stripes on the sides.

A characteristic feature of this particular type of insect is its compound eyes, touching over a small segment. The eyes of dragonflies have a complex structure; they consist of many small ocelli, which allows insects to simultaneously look in several directions and instantly navigate in space during flights.

The large rocker dragonfly has strong jaws and has a gnawing type apparatus. The insect is not able to gnaw through human skin, but it can easily cope with flies and mosquitoes.

The dragonfly has short antennae consisting of 4-7 segments.

It has transparent smoky wings with brown streaks. Each wing consists of two chitinous layers with a common vein system. At the top of the fore wing there is a thickening of dark brown color - pterostigma, it is needed to increase the amplitude of the wing span and dampen dangerous vibrations.

The large rocker dragonfly is a heteroptera dragonfly. In a calm state, their wings are located perpendicular to the axis of the body. During flight, they can flap each pair of wings separately, giving the insects ample room for maneuver.

Dragonflies have long, brown limbs. They consist of five main parts, the thighs and lower legs are covered with spikes in two rows. There are sharp claws at the end of each paw. The dragonfly's front legs are used to hold prey, and the rest are used for takeoff and landing. Long flexible legs with spikes are used to catch insects.

In female dragonflies, a large yoke has a genital valve and an ovipositor formed by 4 stylets; it is no longer than the end of the abdomen.

Real dragonflies

This family of the heteroptera suborder includes numerous species of dragonflies. Their names speak for themselves: swamp, flat, blood. These insects are distinguished by a massive, wide and relatively short body, wings slightly shifted towards the head and the presence of dark spots at their base. The female true dragonfly lays eggs directly into the water of a pond or quiet river, and sometimes into coastal sand. Large nymphs of true dragonflies live in the mud. The flat dragonfly is a medium-sized insect. The wingspan is 8 cm, the body length is 4.5 cm. Both females and males have a brownish-yellowish chest, but the male's abdomen is covered with bright blue pollen, while the female's abdomen is brown, with dark stripes on the sides. At the base of both pairs of wings there are dark triangles. The eyes are greenish.

Other representatives of the family are very noteworthy - blood dragonflies (photo below). They are easily recognized by their bright body color - reddish-yellow, orange or brown-red.

These dragonflies are one of the latest. They are active from mid-summer until November. The transformation of blood dragonfly larvae into adults occurs in just a couple of months.

What does a dragonfly eat?

The very structure of these insects indicates that they are predators. With the help of additional eyes, a flying dragonfly notices prey within a radius of 8 meters, and its powerful jaws are capable of chewing even a hard chitinous shell. These insects are considered beneficial

because they destroy pests.

They catch large prey with their tenacious paws, and grab small prey on the fly with their mouth. Mosquitoes and midges are eaten by hunters in the air, but in order to eat larger prey they have to descend to the ground. Holding the prey with its paws, the dragonfly dismembers it and devours it.

The hunting of dragonflies is fascinating. They dive, maneuver their wings, and zigzag. Even nimble flies cannot escape pursuit. Like many insect predators, dragonflies are very voracious and eat several times their own weight in prey per day. For example, the predator eats up to forty flies a day.

These insects prefer to hunt near water

, there is always enough prey here to satisfy oneself.
In addition, bodies of water provide an environment where dragonflies lay their eggs. This means that they can reproduce and feed in one place, which is quite convenient. What do dragonflies do at night?
Are they flying or sleeping? The answer to this question depends on the species. Eyewitnesses claim to have seen these insects flying in the night sky over the Indian Ocean. Species living in Russia descend for the night after sunset and sleep until dawn, and with the first rays of the sun they go hunting again. Dragonfly's roost

found in the open air. They cling tightly with all their paws to tall blades of grass or branches of bushes and fall asleep. By the way, these insects behave the same way in rainy weather. They fly only during hot sunny hours.

Reproduction and development of dragonflies. How is a dragonfly born?

During the mating season, male dragonflies gather in huge flocks and patrol areas located near water bodies.

After fertilization, the female dragonfly flies to a pond and leaves eggs directly in the water, placing them inside underwater or above-water parts of plants.

The number of dragonfly eggs can reach 600 pieces.

How dragonflies lay eggs

Dragonfly eggs

The development cycle of dragonflies is incomplete. The transformation into a mature individual occurs without the pupation stage.

The egg stage lasts from 14 to 35 days. After which a naiad larva emerges from the egg and continues to develop under water. The naiad breathes using peculiar gills located in the hindgut. To supply the body with oxygen, the larvae constantly suck water into it through the anus. They push the “waste” liquid out with force and thus move using the principle of a jet engine.

During the larval stage, the dragonfly molts up to 15 times. During growth, wings begin to appear, although at the moment the insect comes out into the air, they are still fragile.

The last change of “skin” occurs on land, and an hour later the dragonfly is ready for its first flight. The larval stage can last up to 3 years, and its duration depends on the type of dragonfly.

Breeding dragonflies large rocker

Dragonflies have an incomplete metamorphosis cycle. First they go through the egg stage, then nymphs and adults.

Each male has his own territory; he regularly flies around his area and does not allow rivals to enter it.

During mating, the male grabs the female by the head with his anal appendages. The sperm is pumped into a special organ on the second abdominal segment. The female presses her genital opening to the copulatory organ.

The female lays eggs on aquatic plants. She goes down the stem and sticks one egg at a time into the stem, which is under water. Also, a female dragonfly can lay eggs in accumulations of dead plants on the shore of a pond or on the inside of the leaves of water lilies.

Why does the dragonfly have a big rocker? It received this name due to the position of the females; they bend their abdomen in the form of a rocker if they refuse to mate.

Dragonfly larva large rocker

Dragonfly large rocker lays eggs

Dragonfly large rocker on aquatic vegetation

Dragonfly: structure, description and photo

In this article we invite you to talk about what kind of creature this dragonfly is. Structure, nutrition, reproduction, benefits and harm - all these are our main questions, to which you will find the answer by reading this short article.

First, let's make a reservation: the dragonfly has six jointed limbs. This is an insect belonging to the subclass of winged insects. These numerous creatures even have their own squad - dragonflies.

Have you ever wondered how dragonflies got their name? In Russian it is a combination of two obsolete words: fidget and strekat. The first word is translated as fidget, and the second - jump. This name fully characterizes the flight style of these fast creatures called dragonflies. Structure is the first issue we will look at right now.

Lifestyle and habitat

Dragonflies spread successfully only to those areas of the planet where stable negative temperatures are not observed for more than three months a year. Their widespread distribution and species diversity is largely explained by the ancient origin of these insects, their ability to move quickly and actively in space, as well as a variety of food sources and taste preferences.

The lifestyle of such insects is inherently amphibiotic. This means that the eggs and larvae of such living organisms go through the stages of their development in water, while adult individuals (imago) carry out their life activities in the air and on land.

These are excellent flyers, as can be easily seen by observing dragonflies in the summer. They are agile and fast and are kind of champions among insects, developing significant speeds through the air, which in some cases can reach up to 57 km/h.

It should be noted not only the speed, but also the art of flight, as well as the maneuverability of these creatures, in which their streamlined bodily forms greatly help them.

The air element can truly be considered a home for the dragonfly. On the fly, she is able not only to dine, but even to mate. Moreover, these are very aggressive, cruel predators, and therefore many living organisms from the insect world have cause for concern if they see the shadow of a dragonfly.

These creatures, having occupied a certain territory, jealously guard it from competitors and fiercely fight for it with their own relatives.

Reproduction and lifespan of dragonflies

Mating of dragonfly insects occurs on the fly. It is certainly preceded by a mating dance, performed by the male to attract the female to himself.

After mating has occurred, the female lays up to two hundred eggs in one clutch. Subsequently, a dragonfly larva emerges from the egg, the development of which takes a very long time, up to five years.

The photo shows a dragonfly larva

The larvae are already predators and even prey on tadpoles, although they themselves often become prey for some species of fish, so that out of hundreds of larvae, only a few individuals survive.

The lifespan of a dragonfly reaches seven years, taking into account all stages from the larva to the adult, which can live about one month in the wild.

Homes do not actually breed such insects, so you can limit yourself to observing them in their natural habitat and viewing photos of dragonflies on the Internet.

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