Libellula quadrimaculata, birth error
Libellula quadrimaculata
English name:Four-spotted Chaser
Dutch name:Viervleklibel
Photo taken at the Zwartven, NB
(NL), July 1995

Note: Libellula quadrimaculata is the only European species with black spots at the nodus. Most individuals also have a black spot near the pterostigma.

This individual died during it's emergence. Apparently, the head was attached to the exuviae too tight and the animal couldn't free itself from it. Struggling it almost beheaded itself.

© 2005 by Antoine van der Heijden