Now let us hear the story of the dragon-fly from its beginning. While it is an egg, a larva, and a pupa, it lives under the water. Only when about to burst from the pupa-case, and at last get its wings, does it leave the water and seek the upper air.
In all its early stages the dragon-fly lives in cool, still shallows, among green and graceful water-plants. There the sunshine glows all about it, as it darts over the bottom of the pond, hunting for food.
The mother dragon-fly, as she flits over the water, drops her eggs upon it. They sink to the bottom. She may put them into plant stems. Their cases are waterproof. If the eggs are not eaten up by beetles and other fellow-citizens under water, they are quite safe, and soon the larvæ hatch out.
Home of the Dragon-fly.
Most insects move quickly in the larva state, and are dull or quite asleep in the pupa-case. This is not the way with the dragon-fly. He is busy and strong all his life. The egg settled upon the pond bottom is quiet; the larva moves about, but is rather slow and lazy. The pupa dashes here and there, and frightens all the little animals in the pond. At last the perfect insect rises on the wing. It darts about with almost the swiftness of light.
The larva of the dragon-fly is gray. It has six legs. It is always hungry, and feeds on small water-animals, as beetles, grubs, shrimps, leeches, and their young.
This larva does not run after its food, but lies waiting for it. On the bottom of the pond, hidden in the shadow of a leaf, root, or stone, or seated on stems or leaves that are under water, the larva waits patiently for its prey to come by.
Did you ever see a person with a net for catching insects? This net is a fine bag set on a little hoop. The hoop is fastened upon a long handle. Sometimes the handle has joints, and will fold up. As insects dart by, the person with the net brings it down over them with a quick motion.
The dragon-fly larva has something much like this with which to catch its food. The lower jaw is fastened by a hinge to a little jointed rod. The rod, and the jaw-plate upon the end of it, when not in use, are folded down upon the head of the insect.