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 with a conspicuous “V” incision

NEW INDEX : Dragonfly     May 06, 2008 09:32:58 AM