Dragonfly Exuvia

Dragonfly Exuvia

Dragonflies live underwater for perhaps several years before they exit the vernal pool to moult for the last time to become the flying dragonfly.  They leave their "skin" behind.  It is really an exoskeleton.  They don't have bones to give their body structure like we do.  Their skeleton is external which posses a problem when they grow.  When they are so crammed up inside, they must moult to grow.  Moulting is when they crawl out of their "skin."

The wings are compressed in two appendages on its back called "paddles."  As the moult progresses, the wings decompress and fill with fluid which gives them shape. 

Dragonfly Exuvia

The exoskeleton left behind is extremely fragile.  It hangs at the site of the moult until the weather, wind or rain, cause it to fall back into the pond where it decomposes providing food for the creatures living in the pond.

I liked the angle of the lower of the two images because it blocks the view of the two broken legs.

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