Damselflies making more damselflies

in #photography7 years ago (edited)

This is a pair of small red damselflies (Ceriagrion tenellum) mating. It makes the Kamasutra look rather bland:

Other species mate hanging from grass:

After mating, eggs are deposited. The male doesn't let go while this goes on, to prevent other males from fertilising the female's eggs:

They actually fly around like this, depositing eggs on several blades of grass:

On some days, it can get quite crowded. In this photo, the bottom male, third one from above, actually gets hit in the head by the female above him. He didn't let go, though:

This made me laugh out loud, but maybe it's only funny when you see it happening in front of you.

Thanks for watching!

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wow, these shots are so cool.
how are you so lucky to be able to catch so many of these in the compromising position?
is it some breeding season or you are really patient?

There is a breeding season, but it differs from species to species, and the weather needs to be right. And yes, I am very patient, the best way to get such photos 8-).

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I thought these were dragonflies! 😳

There is a difference, but not even all languages have separate words for them.

Very generally, damselflies are the thin ones that sit still with their wings folded back, dragonflies are the big ones that sit still with their wings outstretched to the sides. This is probably not what a biologist would say, but it helps 8-).

At least, I know now how to differentiate them. Thanks @ocrdu!

I didn't know there's a different. We basically called them dragonflies here. Thanks.

Wow! amazing photo
Many thanks Resteemed

Haha, sine-wave sex!!! Nice captures @ocrdu.

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