Mating underwater
The winning image in the Butterflies & Dragonflies category was taken by Ripan Biswas from India.
“For some species of damselfly, egg laying is a difficult task. They lay eggs on submerged vegetation so their eggs don’t get exposed in the air,” Biswas explained in the press release. “The female climbs down deep in the water while the male clasps the neck of the female with a special organ on the tip of its tail. This is a difficult time for the pair as they become vulnerable to predators.”
While this was happening, a water strider arrived on the scene but eventually lost interest in the mating pair. Biswas said the damselflies flew away after successfully laying their eggs.
