Ovipositor of Dragonflies

The females of all damselflies and some dragonflies (Aeshnidae and Petaluridae families) have a fully formed ovipositor, which is a complicated structure containing paired valves and cutting blades, on the underside of abdominal segments 8 and 9. The ovipositor is used to insert eggs into plant tissue, mud, or other substrate.

Some species have a stylus, which is a thin, needle like projection, at the end of each of the two valves of the ovipositor.

Vulvar lamina (subgenital plate) with a conspicuous “V” incision.

Female Agrionoptera insignis  is uniquely a conspicuous claw like  “U” shape.

NEW INDEX : Dragonfly     June 12, 2008 09:57:41 AM