Life Cycle of Dragon Fly: Diagram, & Stages

Dragonfly has a complex life cycle which consists of three different stages such as egg, nymph (larva), and adult. It undergoes incomplete metamorphosis in which the larval stage transitions into an adult without undergoing a pupal stage. The time taken for the entire life cycle of a dragonfly varies, depending on environmental conditions and the characteristics of the species. Mating in dragonflies is unique and the lifespan of an adult dragonfly is of maximum eight weeks but generally, they live for 1-2 weeks.

Life Cycle of Dragonfly

The three stages of the Dragonfly Life Cycle are egg, nymph, and adult. Mating is unique among them. Firstly, each dragonfly is looking for a mate. The male dragonfly first transfers sperm from near the tip of his abdomen to accessory genitalia near the top of the abdomen. He then grasps a female by the back of the head with his abdominal claspers (tandem position). The female curls the tip of her abdomen to meet the male’s accessory genitalia and sperm is transferred (the wheel position). This process can take a few seconds or many hours.

After mating, the female dragonfly carries the eggs and carefully places them over still water, as running water can wash them away and take them into the fish feeding area. Complete metamorphosis has four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, but dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis because it has only three developmental stages.

Stages of Dragonfly Life Cycle

“Egg, nymph, and adult: the three stages of the dragonfly life cycle.” The life cycle of a dragon consists of three distinct stages, which are discussed below:

Dragonfly Eggs

Dragonflies begin their lives as eggs in or near water. After mating, a female dragonfly often lays eggs while holding the male or while the male protects her from predators or other males.

Female dragonflies lay hundreds of eggs in batches over a few days or weeks. They lay two types of eggs – Endophytic eggs and exophytic eggs. Endophytic eggs are elongated and are laid into the plant material like stems, leaves, rotten wood or mud or close to the surface of water. These eggs are laid by emerald damselflies, migrant hawkers and golden-ringed dragonflies. Exophytic eggs are round and are laid in a jelly-like substance which is deposited loosely into water. These eggs are laid by dragonflies belonging to species – emerald dragonflies, chasers, skimmers and darters.

Larvae Stage in Dragonfly

Dragonflies spend most of their lives as larvae underwater. Larval development typically takes one or two years, but ranges from 2–3 months (as in emerald damselflies) to more than five years (as in Golden-ringed Dragonfly). Development takes longer in cooler waters where food is scarcer, whereas in warm waters there may be a new generation every year. They may molt up to 14 times to achieve the full growth they require. All dragonfly larvae have six legs (as do adults), wing-sheaths, an extendable hinged jaw (labium) that can shoot out in an instant and catch prey.

Emergence and Adulthood in Dragonfly

Adulthood is triggered by a major event in dragonflies called emergence. Unlike butterflies, dragonflies do not go through a cocoon stage during their lifespan, but instead emerge from a final molting stage outside the water. The final-stage larvae sit in shallow water, near the margins, for several days, getting ready for their final moult and starts to breathe air. The triggers for this phenomenon are day length and temperature, which vary by species. Dragonfly larvae fly when they are ready to find plants to prepare to emerge as adults. The dragonfly’s first flight is weak and typically covers only a few meters.

Adult Stage of Dragonfly

Tenerals are newly-emerged adult dragonflies that are weak in flight and pale in color. As their body and wings harden they begin to hunt for food whenever the weather is optimum for them. They spend about a week feeding away from water and gradually acquire adult colouration and sexual maturity. When the adults become mature, they move back to the water to breed.

Metamorphosis in Dragonfly

Unlike other flying insects, dragonflies do not have a pupal stage in their life cycle and therefore it is said to have incomplete metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis occurs when there is no pupal stage because of which dragonflies are also called hemi metabolites. In a complete metamorphosis, there are all stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Habitat and Physical Characteristics of Dragonfly

Dragonflies are aerial predatory insects found most commonly near freshwater habitats throughout the world. Larvae live in rivers, lakes, and ponds among plants and rocks. Adult dragonflies mainly feed on flying insects. The larvae feed on underwater insects, earthworms, and sometimes tadpoles and small fish. Dragonfly species are characterized by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings which are generally transparent, and may have coloured markings. Their front and rear wing pairs have different shapes. While resting, their wings spread horizontally rather than being vertically held against each other.

Facts About Dragonfly Life Cycle

Following are some interesting facts about dragonfly life cycle:

• Female dragonflies during egg laying are guarded by male dragonflies with which they have just mated. Eggs hatch within 2-5 weeks or in the following spring for emerald damselflies, some hawkers and darters.
• A tadpole-like prolarva emerges from the egg. Dragonflies spend most of their lives in larval stage and during this time they catch and eat live prey and moult 5-14 times until it’s fully grown. Larval development ranges from 2-3 months to more than 5 years.
• Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis in which the larva is directly converted into an adult and this occurs outside water.
• Tenerals are the newly-emerged adult dragonflies that are weak in flight and pale in colouration. The process of mating is unique in dragonflies.

Conclusion – Dragonfly Life Cycle

Thus it can be concluded that the life cycle of a dragonfly is a fascinating and unique journey. It consists of different stages among which the adult stage is the most beautiful one. The individual stages of the lifecycle of different species of dragonflies take different time depending on the environmental conditions.

FAQs on Dragonfly Life Cycle

What is meant by Incomplete Metamorphosis?

Incomplete metamorphosis occurs when there is no pupal stage in the life cycle of an insect. The larva directly transitions into an adult.

How does Respiration take place in a Dragonfly?

Adult dragonflies breathe by sucking air into unique breathing tubes located throughout their bodies. These tubes are known as spiracles. Larvae breathe by sucking up water and moving it over their internal gills.

Where is the Dragonfly found?

It is found near freshwater habitats throughout the whole world. Larvae is found in rivers, lakes, and ponds among plants and rocks.

Why do Dragonflies often Dip their Tails into Water?

When a dragonfly dips its tail into the water, it lays eggs. Dragonflies lay their eggs in ponds or any standing water to avoid the eggs being washed away by flowing water.

What does a Dragonfly Eat?

They feed on insects such as midges, mosquitoes and flies. The larvae which are found underwater, eat any smaller species.

How Long is the Life Cycle of a Dragonfly?

Adults usually have a life expectancy of no more than two weeks, though occasionally they can live up to six or eight weeks.