Photo 144329, (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165

Attribution © 116916927065934112165
some rights reserved
Uploaded by muir muir
Source Google
Original https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/INaturalist3#5762442578831609586
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros)

Observer

muir

Date

July 6, 2012 03:15 PM EDT

Description

Large dragonfly in the middle of a dried wetland area. First noticed noise of it buzzing in the grass thicket, finally emerged, checked me out and landed nearby. It then proceeded to lay eggs in dried mud around my feet.

Interesting to see the "cerci" at the tip of the body. In males, these cerci are the claspers that grab onto the female's head during copulation. If it was in fact laying eggs, then a dragonfly female's cerci seem analogous to a male mammal's nipples--fairly useless.

Sizes