| Actual Image
Anax imperator (female, ovipositing) (16)
markop
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 17 W: 0 N: 27]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif) (111) | Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) female.
kingdom: Animalia
phylum: Arthropoda
subphylum: Hexapoda
class: Insecta
order: Odonata
suborder: Anisoptera
family: Aeshnidae
A female Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing. Photo captured at a pond near the village of Fodele, on the island of Crete, in Greece. This is my personal favorite photo, to-date, because of the magic moment it represents, the birth of new life (and life, as we know it on earth, began in the water). This vertical crop, that focuses on the reflection, was suggested by a great nature macro photographer, nimou. Thanks, Nicolas!
Anax imperator is a large and powerful hawker with an average length of 8cm and a wingspan of over 10cm. The word "Anax" is Greek and it means "King", so this genus is considered to be the king of all dragonflies. A.imperator is a widespread species in Europe and prefers relatively still waters, like ponds or slow rivers. Unlike other Anax species that oviposit in tandem, A.imperator females oviposit alone, as is evident in the photo.
I've also managed to capture a male of the same species perched over the same pond, a year after this photo was taken. For all I know she could be his mother! |
|
