"Newly-emerged adult dragonflies, known as tenerals, are a pale green colour at first, with only hints of the final adult patterning. Their wings remain very reflective for a couple of days and the flight is weak and fluttery. As the body and wings harden off, they begin hunting for food whenever fine weather permits. They spend about a week, depending on the weather, feeding away from water and gradually acquire adult colouration and sexual maturity." www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/
Tags: Progomphus obscurus common sanddragon dragonfly odonate dragonfly emerging Clarksville quad
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The Common Sandragons are diminishing in numbers. This was the last remaining one we could find. Hopefully I will see a few more before they are gone for the year.
Tags: Patuxent Refuge North Tract Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge Common Sanddragon North Tract
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Happened to find the Common Sanddragons climbing out of the river. Love to watch them emerge from their exuvia. It is amazing how quickly they transform themselves.
Tags: dragonfly odonate common sanddragon Progomphus obscurus dragonfly emerging Clarksville quad
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Patuxent Refuge
Tags: common sanddragon
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" Larvae climb up robust emergent vegetation, although some may walk several metres over dry land before finding somewhere suitable. After finding a secure support, they redistribute their body fluids – first to push the thorax, head, legs and wings out of the larval skin. There is then a pause of about 30 minutes to allow their legs to harden enough for the next stage, when the abdomen is withdrawn. The wings and then the abdomen are expanded and start to harden. This process leaves behind a cast skin, called an exuvia, and lasts for between one hour (in the case of damselflies) and three hours (in the case of dragonflies)."http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/
Tags: Progomphus obscurus common sanddragon dragonfly odonate dragonfly emerging Clarksville quad
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