| Actual Image
Ebony Jewlwing (10)
tuslaw
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 8 N: 682]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (2217) | I took my camera to work today, so at lunch time I decided to head to the Tuscarawas river to see what I could find. I only have a half hour lunch period, so I don't have much time to explore.
I found this damselfly flitting around the shoreline and occasionally landing for a short rest. I crawled down the bank and caught this one just as it settled on a leaf. My foot sank into the mud up to my ankle, so I had to take a quick shot before I lost a shoe.
Even though they have a menacing look they don't sting or bite humans. They actually help keep pesky insect populations in check by feeding on them.
Their life cycle runs between one and two years. Adults mate over shallow water in flight, or while clinging to shoreling vegetation. The eggs are laid just under the surface on plants.
The young larva or (nymphs), live in the water feeding on aquatic insects until they are ready to molt and turn into adult damselflies. They do this by crawling up a reed or other plant and shedding their outer skins.
I actually got two shots of this one so I'll post the other one in the workshop so you can get a different view. |
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