Wildlife Around Las Vegas, Dragonfly Larvae (Suborder Anisoptera)

	General: Dragonflies (Suborder Anisoptera) are small, flying creatures often seen zooming and hovering around streams and pools of water. What we see as dragonflies, however, are the generally short-lived, adult, breeding life stage of the organism. The more numerous and longer-lived life stage is the aquatic larvae, which are voracious predators on other small water bugs and things like mosquito larvae. When the time is right, a dragonfly larva will climb out of the water, emerge from its exoskeleton, fly away to feed and mate, and leave behind its shed (exuvia). Dragonfly larvae are harmless to humans, but they can provide a bit of a bite. Taxonomy: Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera.
	Dragonfly adults "tandem ovipositing." After mating, pairs may stay together while the female lays eggs in water or in rotting vegetation.
	In some species, female dragonflies lay eggs alone. Note that this female is green. While males often are brightly colored blues or reds, females of the same species usually are dull green or brown.
	Dragonfly nymph (short, wide species).
	Dragonfly nymph (long, narrow species), dorsal and ventral views.
	Dragonfly nymph. Notice the angled grasping mouthparts that the nymph uses to reach out and grab prey items.
	The mouthparts of nymphal dragonflies are extendable and have teeth at the end, which they use to reach out and grab tasty little things.
	Dragonfly nymph grasping mouthparts showing the sharp, pointed teeth.