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I'M NOT ALONE!


I'M NOT ALONE!
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1044 W: 0 N: 2254] (6562)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-02
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 50
Exposure: f/74099368.0
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European dragonflies 2, Insects around the world, Insects' World, Dragonflies of the World, Insects (Insecta) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-20 5:10
Viewed: 1187
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The are many pictures of dragon and damselflies placed in various TN galleries. And also many different things can be found in notes to these photos. So this time I will pay your attention on something much smaller ;)

On the picture there is a male of Sympetrum meridionale (in English: Southern Darter) belonging to family Libellulidae and suborder Anisoptera.

As in the song by No Mercy also this dragonfly is not alone. ;)
Just look at its wings and you will see some small red "balls". These are small invertebrates belonging to Hydracarina, or water mites if you like. This group together with any soil mites, ticks, spiders, opiliones, and scorpions belong to one huge arthropod group - Arachnida.

Here on the picture there are larvae of these mites. Generally they occur as parasites on the larvae of Odonata, but where dragonflies are leaving water habitats and as adults they start life in the air, the water mites "are going with them". Why? The reason is very simple. Adult, flying dragonly is an excellent vector! Not only allow to conolize new places, but moreover - something to eat will be available all the time! ;)

Please note, that some species of Odonata laynig their legs siting down on surfaces on eg. different water plant species. So the larvae of Hydracarina have enought time to leave the adult dragonly and go to the water where they will be waiting for the next generation of Odonata larvae...

And a few words about habitat wher this picture was taken. Velika Plaza in the biggest sandy beach in Montenegro (about 12 km). On the picture there is a male, but please believe me - all observed specimens (more that 30 on the area only about 100 square meters!) were attacked by these water mites!! :)
cataclysta, horia, batu, uleko, anel, meyerd, ramthakur, cedryk, red45, RAP, Harm-digitaal, scottevers7, Klipsen has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Klipsen: thank you! :)cicindela 1 04-28 10:16
To cedryk: wazkacicindela 1 01-21 06:23
To RAP: water mitescicindela 1 01-20 17:21
To ramthakur: dragonly with Hydracarinacicindela 1 01-20 17:19
To meyerd: water mites on dragonflycicindela 1 01-20 17:16
To anel: dragonfly-water mitescicindela 1 01-20 17:13
To uleko: dragonfly with water mitescicindela 1 01-20 17:10
To batu: water mites and Odonatacicindela 1 01-20 17:06
To horia: water mites :)cicindela 1 01-20 17:04
To Argus: dragonfly and water mites :)cicindela 1 01-20 17:00
To melinaXIII: water mitescicindela 1 01-20 16:54
To cataclysta: wazkacicindela 1 01-20 05:24
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Czesc Radziu
To zdjecie bardzo mi sie podoba. Poraz pierwszy widzialem tak duzo roztoczy na wazce. Tlo na pierwszy rzut oka troche monotonne ale z czarna ramka glowny obiekt wydobywa sie bardzo ladnie z tla.
Pozdrawiam
Krzysiek

Bom Dia, Radomir!!
...mas que linda esta Libellulidae!!!
Excelente captura e nota!!!
Lindas cores, foco, nitidez, luz, composição, detalhes...Adorei!!
Parabéns!!!!!
Saudações do Brasil!
Melina

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2492 W: 132 N: 7090] (22145)
  • [2007-01-20 5:59]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
This fine shot of this sympetrum is especially interesting because of the parasites on it. I have never seen this before and you portray this sharply and present it well with excellent note.
Well done!
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2044 W: 212 N: 3655] (12162)
  • [2007-01-20 6:37]
  • [+]

Hi Radomir

This is most interesting!
I've seen and even managed to capture these things in real life but never relly known what they are...so thanks for sharing :)
The photo is otherwise splendid, with super sharp details, taken from an interesting POV and with pleasant colors.
I also like the way you handled your flash on this one ;)

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 282 N: 3228] (10674)
  • [2007-01-20 8:58]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
thank you for posting this nice nature document and your extensive note on the subject. Focus and point of view are pretty good.
Best wishes, Peter

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2375 W: 164 N: 7131] (22536)
  • [2007-01-20 9:14]
  • [+]

Hello Radziu,
Very interesting shot showing great details of dragonfly and mites, amazingly having the same colour! Lovely grey colour background and A very nice composition. Most intersting note too!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1116 W: 0 N: 1835] (7840)
  • [2007-01-20 9:43]
  • [+]

Hi Radomir,
Amazing how these parasites are part of this red dragonfly. At first sight we could think about some decoration of the wings. Thank a lot for your instrucive note.
Best regards
Anne

Hello Radomir,

this is a great and technically perfect dragonfly shot, but the parasites make the rarity of it. It is rare to find "nice parasites" and it's even rarer to see parasites. You are a biologist with an exceptional interest and the TN community profits from this. Thank you again for the detailed note.

Be good, Dietrich

You record a curious natural phenomenon here, Radomir. Initially, I thought those things on its wings were parts of a design.
Your note gives ample information about the happening.
A well composed shot.
TFS.
Ram

Czesc,
Naprawde ladnie wyszla ta wazka. Swietnie zagral kontrast pomiedzy czerwienia wazki, roztoczy i neutralnym tlem, poza tym dobra lekko przekatna kompozycja.
Jesli o technike chodzi to brakuje troche glebi. Czesci skrzydel i koniec odwloka sa nieostre, a szkoda.
3m sie :-)
Michal

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2805 W: 75 N: 7845] (26275)
  • [2007-01-21 15:46]

Witam ponownie!

Rewelacyjne zdjecie! Nie dosyc, ze ciekawy obiekt pieknie pokazany, to jeszcze ten bonus w postaci pasozytow. Po pierwsze - nigdy nie widzialem ich na wazce, a juz na pewno nie w takiej ilosci. Po drugie fascynujace jest to, ze przy tak wysokich przeciazeniach na skrzydlach wciaz udaje im sie tam utrzymac. Zadziwiajaca sprawa. Wyglada to jak garsc kropli krwi. Rewelacja.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-01-22 7:48]
  • [+]

Espectacular especie la que nos muestras aquí Radomir con esas extrañas larvas que parecen perlas del mismo tono que el insecto.
Buen foco, POV y profundidad con aceptable desenfoque del fondo.
Instructiva nota complementaria.
Cordiales saludos... Ricardo

Spectacular species that you show us here Radomir with those strangers larvas that seem pearls of the same tone that the insect.
Good focus, POV and depth with acceptable out of focus of the bottom.
Instructive complementary note.
Cordial greetings... Ricardo

I found this pic thanks to your new one of today. I didn't click it open before because there are just too many dragonflies on TN. I didn't know there was more to see.
I had never seen so many mites in once before. Much interesting.
TFS
JM

Hi Radomir,
That is an excellent shot. Great colors and tack sharp detail. Very well done. Great supporting notes to explain the shot.
Scott

Hi Radomir,
outstanding macro indeed with stuning details on Dragonfly and on larvae of mites
splendid colours, perfect focus and excellente note on this great shot
cheer my friend,
Pat

Highly informative and very interesting!

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