Blue Skimmer (16/18)

Odonata: Libellulidae

Orthetrum caledonicum  

In anticipation of mating, the male dragonfly brings his primary sex organ in contact with his secondary sex organ and deposits sperm in the secondary sex organ. He then finds a willing female (or not) and grabs her behind the head. This frequently happens while flying but can happen with the female perched. The pair fly around for a while and then the female inserts the tip of her tail into the male secondary sex organ.

At this point they may continue flying in which case the fertilisation happens quickly or they may land and get comfortable in which case the fertilisation may take some time, even half an hour.

Once fertilised, the female will deposit her eggs in appropriate places, sometimes with the male still holding her and sometimes on her own.

This brings us to this pair of Blue Skimmer Dragonflies. I am sitting on the bank of a creek enjoying some shade on a hot day and this pair of Blue Skimmer Dragonflies have landed at my feet already in the fertilisation position (mistaking the startled photographer for a log). Not wishing to disturb their tryst, I sit quietly for the next 15 minutes until the male lets go of the female and she flies off, periodically dipping her tail in the water to deposit eggs.

Ah, the strange ways of the birds and the bees (er... dragonflies).