Common Hawker

infraorder Anisoptera - family Aeshnidae

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Dragonfly mating is unique. Male common hawkers are constantly patrolling the water's edge in search of females. Once one is found, he literally grabs her by the scruff of the neck with the claspers on the tip of his abdomen and tries to fly her away to a more private location. She'll either go along with him or resist till he gives up.  

The eggs being laid should hatch next spring to begin life as aquatic nymphs, growing & moulting while preying on other insect larvae and tadpoles. After 3 years or so, the adult Common Hawker will emerge to begin the life cycle all over again.