Exuviae

19 years ago

Just had a quick look at the British Dragonfly Society's site and saw that someone is asking people to send in exuviae for them to catalogue and use for people's reference.

I've just taken five out of my pond which are all identical. That makes my collection six now, including the damselfly I actually watched hatching. On one plant I saw an exuvia and a green dragonfly that must have just hatched out. Trouble is that they take so long to actually fly, that I did a load of gardening, then had another look, but he'd disappeared!!

I'm curious to know which dragonfly the five exuviae were, but I want to keep them all!! Maybe I should send a couple and ask if they will identify them for me, but I might not get a reply....

Big Kid

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Comments (5)

dampflippers
19 years ago
Hi,
I haven't seen any at all yet. In fact I've only seen one damselfly this year, and it was on the paving.
I'll keep an eye out though.
Ps I bey you didn't know they were called exuviae until you went to the website!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dragonfly society
alison_froglady
19 years ago
I didn't know the name either, but did recognize what it was as I started to read the thread. I don't have any in my pond and haven't seen any anywhere yet this year.

Here is a link that might be useful: alisons pond and garden
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Hooray! Isn't it the most amazing thing to observe? Especially when you 'catch' it when you aren't expecting it? Ahhh... My husband had a similar experience a few weeks ago when he was out in his Plumeria garden. Later, he came and told me about it and had me help him look for the exuvia (chrysalis shell). As far as your query about raising Monarchs indoors-this is most easy! Have you checked out my blog? I set one up awhile back and am slowly adding more information to it. It is specifically designed for raising Monarchs and the instructions are super easy to follow. Check it out. If you need additional help, then you can always ask for more help here. :) CalSherry aka tdogmom Here is a link that might be useful: Monarch blogspot
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It is incredible to watch them emerge--and not many better ways of spending a Sunday! I came across a broad-bodied chaser one morning, but had to go to work so couldn't watch it complete its metamorphosis--but it was still drying itself several hours later. Finding exuviae (papery exoskeletons) is exciting. They are so perfect, which just the little 'shoelaces' (or as I just discovered, tracheal linings) to show where it got out. I have had some for over two years in very good condition. Quoting from a dragonfly site (after it insists you make yourself very comfortable if you come across an emergence) "You can monitor the production of your pond by collecting the empty larval skins, or exuviae, on a regular basis. Examine the emergent vegetation and other suitable substrates like sticks and rocks. If you find an eluvia, check that it is empty. Whitish strands can usually be seen sticking out of the hole through which the insect got out. These strands are the remains of the old tracheal linings. Check that the insect has actually left the vegetation - it may just have moved up to catch more sunlight. Collect these empty skins by gently sliding them up the vegetation, or prying them off the substrate. Be careful, they are very light and easily carried away by any breeze. If the wind has been blowing you may find some of the empty skins in the water, but they can remain attached to the substrate for some time. Sorting these by appearance will give you an idea how many species are using your pond. (Remember that there are other kinds of insects that have an aquatic larval stage.) Record the numbers by date to give yourself an idea of the cycle of emergence. Probably you will not see some exuviae that are hidden or inaccessible, but this will give you some indication about what is there. " More on it on http://uci.net/~pondhawk/odonata/ips_odonata.html There was a site I found that wants people to send in exuviae for identification, but I can't seem to find it now. But the British dragonfly site is always good too, http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/frameset.htm?codeprac&home As for your Robin, you might have to distract it with mealworms during the next emergence!! Chip
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chippewacat
19 years ago
How exciting! I remember they were looking for samples last year and said they would tell you. So I guess if there was a stamped postcard or email address they would let you know. I did find one site last year that showed the exuviae alongside the dragonfly---but failed to save and have not found it since. Its in cyberspace somewhere.

Does anyone know what species of dragonfly they have? We usually have broadtailed chasers and emperors. Saw on TV the other day something about dragonflies able to fly 40 mph!

Loads of damselflies so far, but no dragonflies yet. There is something else though that is smaller than a damselfly and not brightly coloured so it is hard to see when its still. But when it flys it moves its wings differently so it looks like a wonky helicopter. Anyone know what these are?

Seem to be finding loads of young toads in the undergrowth about 1 and 2 years old. Gives me a good excuse for continuing to be a very untidy gardener. Have yet to see baby newts, but I keep hoping it is because they are safe inside the water starwort.

happy ponding and will keep an eye out for exuviae!
big_kid
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi All,

I didn't know the exact spelling, but someone must have mentioned it before in a previous thread, because I recognised it immediately.

Chip, Check out the family of Calopterygidae which includes demoiselles. I've also seen a few smallish pale, almost white (damselflies) which flitter about. Your description of wonky helicopters is much more descriptive!! I have a feeling we might have newly hatched, possibly female agrions, possibly 'calopteryx splendens.' I once saw a load of beautiful demoiselle agrions on a river in south London and they were all flitting about madly. Absolutely beautiful.

I haven't seen any dragonflies yet this year, except for the one next to the exuvia. Due to the size, I'm sure it was a dragonfly and I reckon it would be green. Pity I didn't see it fly away.

My robin is still hanging around with nothing to do. He should be busy helping feed his babies by now. This is the first year that I haven't had a pair mating in my garden. He teamed up with another robin late last year, but I guess something must have happened to her and he's been mateless all this year. Maybe he was a swan in a previous life and has decided he doesn't want to find another female. Ah! All I know is that he's got too much time on his hands and I don't reckon the young damselflies/dragonflies stand much chance while he's around. The idea of keeping him fed with mealworms is a good one, but I can't be there all the time and he's a right gannet!
Big Kid
chippewacat
19 years ago
Thanks for that! Noticed on the site they are wanting people to report on broad-tailed chasers (got those!), so can't wait for them to start hatching so can send pictures in. And this year will send some exuviae in--had a lot of fun last year taking them into work and freaking people out...they are fascinating!

Your robin friend sounds delightful--does that make you Batman though? Holy Anisoptera!

Chip

Exuviae

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