A dorsal view of a 3rd instar nymph of the dragonfly Aeshna palmata. This is the same nymph that was shown in http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=36700
Note the tubercle behind each eye. In the 3rd instar it has gained another spine. There is some speculation that it may have a sensory function to make up for the lack of well developed eyesight in the early instars.
A 100% crop of the tubercle.
Shot with a Nikon D810, Mitutoyo 20x M Plan mounted on a Micro-Nikkor 200mm, Flash (transmitted light), ISO 64, f5, 207 frames stacked with Zerene PMax.
Dragonfly nymph 3rd Instar Aeshna palmata - dorsal view
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Dragonfly nymph 3rd Instar Aeshna palmata - dorsal view
"You can't build a time machine without weird optics"
Steve Valley - Albany, Oregon
Steve Valley - Albany, Oregon
- MarkSturtevant
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Interesting sensory hairs on those tubercles behind the eyes. They are against a projection of cuticle, which I suppose means they can't be bent backwards.
Living in dimly lit water, I suppose it would be useful to have sensory projections to help the critter navigate past obstructions. Kind of like whiskers on a nocturnal mammal.
Living in dimly lit water, I suppose it would be useful to have sensory projections to help the critter navigate past obstructions. Kind of like whiskers on a nocturnal mammal.
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters
Dept. of Still Waters