In August we have seen the emergence of many Dragonflies from ponds that surround the Tufa Field.

These short-lived invertebrates spend much of their life feeding in ponds as larvae. Unlike some other species, they do not have a pupal stage, rather their final moult takes place as they emerge from the water. Triggered by warmth and daylight length, they spend a couple of days just at the water surface, learning to breathe out of water, before heading for  vertical vegetation, for example reeds or sedges, climbing the stalk to wait for sunshine to dry and unfold their wings.

These images show that final sequence.

 

 

For further information about Dragonflies visit the British Dragonfly society.