Genus Aeshna, Fabricus 1775
Aeshna petalura
Martin, 1909
Elevation - above 2000m
Abdomen length 49mm
Location Phulchowki Peak 2680m
Near the top of Phulchowki Peak, the highest in the Kathmandu Valley, there is a pond that varies in size according to rainfall during the year. This is where many Aeshna and Anax larvae emerge in from July to October covering the small plants around the pond's edges with their exuviae. I found one female larva in the water and I took home. I fed it tadpoles for three weeks until it emerged. I returned it to the pond and photographed the female as she developed further and flew off. The males fly across the pond and will nearly touch a female. It seems to be a signal because she immediately follows him up into the highest treetops where they mate and only she returns to oviposit. This emerging process begins in July and continues in various stages until October. Mating is most active in August.
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