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Damselfly nymph
Damselfly nymph (Coenagrion sp.). Head and thorax of a damselfly at the nymph stage. The thorax contains three pairs of legs and a pair of undeveloped wings. The end of the abdomen has three caudal gills with large breathing tubes (trachea). Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis. This involves three stages of development; the egg, nymph and adult stage. The adult female lays eggs in water and nymphs emerge when the eggs hatch. Nymphs are carnivorous and use mandibles to feed on daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small aquatic organisms. Winged adults emerge after the nymph has moulted several times.
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