It’s been a few months since I’ve posted anything on the blog. It’s not because I’m slacking off – quite the opposite, I’ve been extremely busy. But there is a lot to write about, and the post activity will increase. Starting now.
It’s always mesmerizing to watch the process of metamorphosis. Last summer I had that opportunity. We found a dragonfly larva on the trail near Lost Pond in White Mountains, New Hampshire. The larva was ready to hatch, so I took my spot with the camera, and got ready to film the emergence.
View the slideshow of the emergence
To my surprise, after drying off, the larva continued its journey inland, away from the water. I thought it was unusual, as most hatch just above the water, or right near it. This one was very determined, and all my attempts to place it on a photogenic plant failed.
After crawling three or four yards from the edge of the water, the larva reached a tree. Only then did I notice three other exuvia (empty shells left after the dragonfly emerges) on the trunk. This one crawled up to the side of one about 6 feet off the ground, and finally stopped.
One other interesting thing to notice, is that the larva was missing the middle leg on the right side – lost to a predator earlier in its life. The emerged dragonfly was also missing a leg in the same spot.
Metamorphosis like this fascinates humans. We are amazed by this transformation for several reasons. Mostly because even in the twenty first century we still don’t understand it fully. But also because we see deep symbolism in the change that the individuals undergo through. Indeed, occasionally it takes a radical transformation, but what emerges is much grander than what was before.