Efficient and Deadly: Dragonfly Nymph Hunts

Occurred on June 3, 2019 / Dohr, Germany

Info from Licensor: "I am Lothar Lenz, a nature photographer and filmmaker living in a small village in the Eifel region. Surrounded by forests, fields, and stream valleys, I have the privilege of experiencing nature in all its diversity. With my camera, I document the often hidden aspects of the natural world, from majestic black storks and wildcats to the intricate world of insects. In this video, I showcase the hunting technique of a dragonfly larva, capturing its precision and unique hunting method.

Dragonfly larvae are exceptional hunters, perfectly adapted to their underwater environment. They spend the first months, or even years, of their life as larvae in water, where they prey on a variety of small aquatic organisms, such as water fleas. The technique used by dragonfly larvae to capture their prey is particularly remarkable and is made possible by their specialized "mask" – a unique structure located near the mouthparts. This "mask" functions as a rapid, spring-loaded capture mechanism. It is equipped with teeth and small hooks that allow the larva to catch and hold onto its prey with incredible efficiency.

The mask remains folded under the head when not in use, but when the larva is ready to strike, it unfolds in an explosive movement. This rapid action is controlled by strong muscles and occurs at speeds of up to 2 meters per second. This speed and precision make it almost impossible for the prey to escape once the strike is initiated.

The action of the mask is similar to a catapult: the larva first retracts its mandibles to prepare for the strike. Once it identifies the perfect moment, the mask is launched forward with incredible acceleration, ensnaring the prey. The hooks on the mask ensure the prey is securely held until the larva can grasp it with its mandibles.

This mechanism allows the dragonfly larva to hunt effectively in the often murky and dense underwater environment. Its prey, such as small water fleas, has little chance of escaping before being captured.

The dragonfly larva plays a critical role in its aquatic ecosystem. As a predator, it helps regulate the populations of small water organisms, maintaining balance within its habitat. By controlling populations of water fleas and other microorganisms, the larva ensures the health of the entire ecosystem.

Through these images, I aim to offer a fascinating glimpse into this hidden world, showing how these small predators contribute significantly to the delicate balance of our waterways."