Damselfly Exuviae - BugGuide.Net

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… john and jane balaban, 11 February, 2007 - 12:37pm

One of the Narrow-wings?

I think that this is a Coenagrionid though i'm not 100% sure because we cant see the lenght/shape of the lower jaw. But it looks like it's probably a Narrow-wing.
Does anyone elae know if there there anyother features that easily seperate the naiad stages of Lestids and Coenagrionids?

… Andy Varsho, 15 March, 2006 - 12:09pm

Yep, the Caudal gills

Yep. You can use the caudal gills shape and size, as larva anyways.
I've recently found a really great resouce for that : http://www.ups.edu/x6271.xml

Exuvia I'm not sure it would help with...I think its a little more dificult(maybe imposible?) due to the distortion and drying of the skin.

… Kaylee Skylyn, 17 March, 2006 - 11:13am

Thanks for the link I'll have

Thanks for the link I'll have to look at that. I need to brush up on my damsels.

I have herd that the keys used to ID the nymph/naiad stages were based off of the last instar immatures and the exuvia. I am not trying to belittle your comment i just want to get my facts straight. But I would have to agree that the dried skins would be harder to ID.

… Andy Varsho, 17 March, 2006 - 5:35pm

Thats ok, I'm just repeating

Thats ok, I'm just repeating what I've read (and making the asumption it was due to the drying ect) but I think your right, larval keys are based on the later stages of naiads. I would love to be able to ID from exuvia so if you do find resources for damsels do share! :) Theres always new things to learn, and I stil have much to learn.

… Kaylee Skylyn, 18 March, 2006 - 2:07pm

Will do

I will be researching this further in the later spring/ early summer so when/ if ifind something i will be sure to post it.

… Andy Varsho, 18 March, 2006 - 4:40pm