Do you know what is happening in this photograph? All guesses welcome. The answer will be revealed tomorrow!. (Photo: male Chalk-fronted Corporal dragonfly, Libellula julia)
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This entry was posted on July 23, 2014 by Mary Holland. It was filed under Insect Signs, Insects, Mystery Photo, Uncategorized and was tagged with Chalk-fronted Corporal, Libellula julia.
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Naturally Curious with Mary Holland
Is it being pulled beneath the ground by an Ant Lion?
July 23, 2014 at 12:57 pm
The dragonfly is sucking moisture and salt up from the sand.
July 23, 2014 at 1:04 pm
laying eggs?
July 23, 2014 at 1:05 pm
I’ve seen it once before with a Common Whitetail. It is being dragged into a Tiger Beetle hole.
July 23, 2014 at 1:05 pm
laying eggs
Ian B
July 23, 2014 at 1:21 pm
If he’s “chalk-fronted” that should mean he’s on his back. So my first guess is that he’s sunbathing on a beach somewhere. Joking aside, display often means trying to attract a mate, so perhaps the more visible white is on display to show off to a prospective female.
July 23, 2014 at 1:30 pm
It looks like it is boring holes in the sand for potential egg nest site. Sue Wetmore
TestSent from my iPod
July 23, 2014 at 1:38 pm
laying eggs
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From: Naturally Curious with Mary Holland [mailto:comment-reply@wordpress.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 8:54 AM To: lauraluckey12@comcast.net Subject: [New post] Dragonfly Mystery Photo
Mary Holland posted: “Do you know what is happening in this photograph? All guesses welcome. The answer will be revealed tomorrow!. (Photo: male Chalk-fronted Corporal dragonfly, Libellula julia) Naturally Curious is supported by donations. If you choose to contribute,”
July 23, 2014 at 1:57 pm
This male is depositing sperm on a previously laid egg.
July 23, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Is it trying to use the sand to help it warm up or cool down?
If this isn’t voluntary then I’m guessing some burrowing thing is trying to eat the dragonfly.
July 23, 2014 at 2:26 pm
He doesn’t look happy. I agree with Paul. I see Tiger Beetle larvae holes.
July 23, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Fertilizing eggs?
July 23, 2014 at 2:48 pm
It looks like his tail is burrowing into the sand – laying eggs? (Or maybe he has an itch back there!).
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July 23, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Is it sleeping?
July 23, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Huh! Looked up Tiger Beetle. I might emend Paul’s answer to say that the beetle is sucking the insides out of the dragonfly. Ugh!
July 23, 2014 at 4:08 pm
She is ovipositing in the sand at the edge of a stream or pond.
July 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm
It’ missing it’s last four abdominal segments, so either they have been cut off or they are underground. I’ll go with tiger beetle.
Since it’s a male, egg-laying seems highly unlikely. Anyway, it doesn’t look like it’s just above water.
July 23, 2014 at 4:44 pm
He’s foraging?
July 23, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Is she laying her eggs?
July 23, 2014 at 5:54 pm
It is laying its eggs with long ovipositor.
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July 23, 2014 at 7:47 pm
I am not sure but I am very curious, naturally ! laying eggs? scratching an itch?
July 23, 2014 at 9:28 pm
why, egg-laying of course
July 23, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Is the dragonfly warming up or cooling down by putting its abdomen in the sand? Meredith Wade
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July 24, 2014 at 9:09 pm
That was my first guess, burying it’s abdomen and sexual organs into the sand to lay eggs! 🙂 “The circle of Life”!
July 25, 2014 at 12:32 pm