The next post depicts a dragonfly. This is neither a dragon nor a fly, but is a beatiful insect that is a typical part of our waterside environment.
The dragonfly is a small flying insect with two pairs of wings. Its bright metallic colouring is produced by the reflection of light from the surface of its body rather than from actual pigmentation. It can be distinguished from the smaller damselfly, which folds its wings when at rest. Dragonflies can often be seen on water lillies and other plants.
The dragonfly is territorial, protecting an area of water where male and female join in a heart shape and fly together. The female's eggs hatch into nymphs (small beetle-like animals) within a week. The nymphs may live up to 5 years under water, moving by rapidly expelling water from their anus. The nymph transforms itself inside its exoskeleton and the adult dragonfly emerges, expands its wings, and flies into the open air. The life span of the adult is typically 2-3 weeks.
We are now going to move into Coulson Park, so you will have to walk under the railway bridge and onto the grass, where you will find the next post.
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