The diagram illustrates the life cycle of a dragonfly, showing the different stages of development from egg to adult.
Overall, the dragonfly undergoes an incomplete metamorphosis, beginning its life in water and spending several years as a nymph before transforming into a flying adult. The longest stage of the cycle occurs underwater, while the adult stage focuses mainly on reproduction.
The cycle starts when adult dragonflies mate. After mating, the female lays eggs in or near water. These eggs typically take between two and five weeks to hatch. Once hatched, the young dragonflies enter the nymph stage, which lasts from one to five years. During this time, the nymph lives underwater and feeds on small aquatic creatures. As it grows, it molts several times, shedding its outer skin to allow further development.
When the nymph is fully grown, it leaves the water and attaches itself to a plant or surface. A final molt then occurs, and an adult dragonfly emerges. After its wings expand and harden, the adult is able to fly, mate, and lay eggs, restarting the cycle.