This is the first of a series of images of a Green Darner dragonfly larva. This particular image was taken on 10-14-08 and shows a very early instar. On the morning of 10-15-08, before I had returned the bug to its habitat, it molted. I have included an image of the exuvium, as well as several images of the new instar. These images of the new instar were taken over a period of several hours and show some early color changes that the instar underwent during that time. (I was struck by the difference in coloration between the two instars. The earlier instar was banded; the latter, striped and spotted. I have seen photos of a later Green Darner instar that was richly green in coloration.) I have also included a detail of the exuvium, showing the truncate blade of the palpal lobe. An end hook is visible on that truncate blade; such a hook is characteristic of Anax species. I collected the bug from what appears to have been at one time a small borrow pit. The pit is currently being used by the county to collect runoff rainwater; the ground surrounding the pit is caving inward toward the pit, so that the surface of the water of the pit is now considerably lower than ground level. The county has posted signs warning that the pit is deep and should not be used for swimming (not that anyone would want to, because it looks like a scummy little swamp). The water quality varies, depending on the amount of rain that falls in the area. The pit is inhabited by frogs but not fish. It is home to many species of aquatic insects.