Friend or Foe Creepy Crawlie

I can't say I have ever noticed this little creature before.. It was close to my pond but seemed to be going off towards the privet hedge.. probably to eat it. Any idea what it is.

 

It wont eat it, when it hatches out it wont have mouthparts, its a dragon fly nymph.

 

Aha ! so that is what they look like. :-)
the word nymph makes me think of something very dainty and cute.

 

Your thinking of wood nymphs, like this one I found sneaking in my kitchen on baking day :hehe:

 

I could just eat one of those cakes myself Ziggy. Dragon fly nymph I should have watched and waited perhaps. I have had shells of similar creatures left in the reeds where they have hatched and gone not quite like this one though. I get a few big green Dragon Flies lovely to watch and just occasionally they will land on you or hover in front of you as if taking notes. Nature fascinating always.

 

He might still be hatching, have another look, or was it yesterday, if so, too late.

Just baking some bread & cooking green tomatoes, if I get a chance, i'll cook some more cakes & e mail you one.:D

 

Dragonfly Exuvia of the Southern Hawker.

 

E-mail one of those wood nymphs to me Ziggy. I'd be happy with a little sweetie like that about the place - no grandchildren here to my sorrow.
I would "adopt" one - but you have to take the parents with them.

 

Oh Alice, I would if I could, but you'll just have to settle for a dragon fly for now.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.johnsonscreek.co.uk/Dragonfly-SouthernHawker24-09-05.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.johnsonscreek.co.uk/page30.html&h=640&w=480&sz=70&tbnid=vUf1K-VHF1-7dM:&tbnh=259&tbnw=194&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSouthern%2BHawker.&zoom=1&q=Southern+Hawker.&usg=__jZzv3CWnf5mwet2xyRm6BzJjWU8=&sa=X&ei=L8KPTIr0FM-Z4AaP1tGHDg&ved=0CBkQ9QEwAQ

Handsome beast

 

Good picture Hans and I wasn't sure before if those dragonfly nymphs were Southern Hawkers, so I appreciate Colin J's ID.
Ziggy, what an angelic looking wood nymph you have there!

 

Well, send the dragonfly Ziggy, and I'll see what it morphs into.