dragonfly larvae pic

[Galapoheros]

I went seining yesterday. I usually don't find this species of dragonfly larvae. Don't know what species it is, I just know I don't come across it very often. Looks kind of interesting so I thought I'd post some pics of it.

 

[Hedorah99]

I love those things. HP Lovecraft couldn't have written about a more terrifying little beasty.

 

[Matt K]

I have several varieties in my pond.... none look like that one! It's unfortunate that there are so many species in the southern states and that they are difficult to identify in many cases....

 

[Galapoheros]

Hmm, well I've got it in a 10 gal. I'll post a pic of the adult if it gets that far. It plays dead and moves slow like a sloth, I mean even slower than the ones I've messed with in the past, maybe one of those dragons with the bright red body .

 

[Matt K]

Remember that some species are only nymphs for a few months and others stay that way for a couple years.... :0

 

[Galapoheros]

That crossed my mind when I found it. It's still cool but obviously it has been around a while going by how big it is. It must have at least been around since last Spring. I haven't seen it eat yet.

 

[froggyman]

dragon larva have pretty wicked mouthparts dont they?

 

[dtknow]

I've found some with that enlongated shape. I believe they are darner dragonflies.

The common ones that are more robust/rounded become skimmers.

 

[Galapoheros]

Maybe a darner sp. I more often see a darner nymph that's shaped like this but it's green, a lot more active and the eyes are very different.

 

[DITB]

wow that thing looks freaky lol seems like Galapoheros has access to all of the cool bugs!

 

[Tleilaxu]

Just be careful if you see it start to shed underwater, I had several dragonflies drown because they were molting into adults yet neglected to leave the water. Which was most odd.

 

[Galapoheros]

I think all you need is a car to get to more bug stuff, ...oh, and gas. Man it's getting expensive! I like to go hike and look for things. Even if I don't find anything, I feel like I'm getting some exercise so it's all good. Cool snakes, salamanders and bugs around TN, esp salamanders right? All those caves ...my dream piece of property is one that would have a cave. Creeks that hold water a long time by the side of the road or under bridges are good to dip a net in, you never know. Yeah Tleilaxu, I don't have enough things for it to climb up to do that, I keep putting that off. I might be able to pull off some exo to ID it if it has molting probs.

 

[DITB]

i find some cool stuff found my first sakes of the year 2 days ago, been finding some cool beetles, and been finding some assassin bugs, red salamanders most was found in my yard even! but so far nothing that is as cool as Scolopendra Heros lol

 

[dtknow]

A bike is a good bet too. Only problem is you cannot carry much more than a small hook and a small collecting container...usually your empty canteen.

 

[Longbord1]

did you preserve that larvae?

 

[Galapoheros]

Yeah body fuel is getting expensive too, ha! It's still alive. I fed it potential food with some tweezers. First it grabbed a cricket but spit it out. Then it grabbed a small minnow and threw it away also. Only tadpoles? Maybe just not hungry and only reacting but I don't feel that's the case.

 

[petshopguy]

keying specimen

It shouldn't be too hard to key the species - might take some effort online to find a key for texas dragonfly larva. I made my own key for Michigan damselfly larva and I am currently working on my own key for Michigan dragonfly larva. I am basically collecting all of the data from online sources and then I organize it the way I want it to look.
The spines on the sides of the abdomen and the tubercles (raised bumps on the head, above the eyes) are typically reliable diagnostic characteristics for dragonfly larva. So, I don't see any problem in being able to key it to the species level from the larval stage. Might take some considerable effort on your part. I hope it makes it to adulthood - much easier to determine species visually without having to key it out.
Great pics, too!!!!!!!!
Definitely include one of the adult stage when it molts.
If it does die, put it in some alcohol (70%) for future keying.

 

[froggyman]

what kind of plant is that?

 

[Galapoheros]

Ha, the whole 10 gal is full of that algae of some kind. I will go get a bunch of tads pretty soon. The snails in there don't seem to take care of it. I found Sailfin mollies(sp?), I think anyway, in a pond in the Austin tx area, I don't think they mind the algae but there is way too much in there. If the tads I get will eat it, I don't want to get rid of any of it. I'll take a pic of it if it molts to adulthood, glad you liked the pics.

 

[froggyman]

would you mind showing us a full tank pic?