You must have noticed the strange love-making rituals of dragon flies over a pond or river bed. At times, the male could be seen towing the female while performing several aerobatic manoeuvres. Though their relationship seems quite harmless and romantic, it is more of a sexual harassment in reality.  Let me present you a few  pictures showing their peculiar behaviour . These were captured some time back in 2010 .

DAMSELFLIES MATING IN WHEEL POSITION

LOVE ON A LOTUS BUD :: Odonate Reproduction, Damselflies in the “wheel” position. To mate, damselflies join together in the “wheel” position and commonly fly in tandem this way. Later on, the male will usually remain attached to the female as she lays eggs. When doing so he retains his grip on the front portion of the female’s thorax, using claspers located at the tip of his abdomen. Usually a male fly would use his organ to cleanse his rivals’ sperm before depositing his own.

DAMSELFLIES IN WHEEL POSITION

THE BALANCING ACT :: Damselflies in the Odonate Oviposition (Egg Laying). While the female is getting ready for laying eggs, the male keeps other potential mates away by remaining clasped to the female.   Dragonflies are highly territorial in nature and the males have a tendency to drive away other males entering their area.  A female fly would enter the male’s territory when it is time to mate.  Dragonflies and damselflies are similar except that the damselflies are tender and weaker. The dragonflies usually hold their wings spread wide open, while the damselflies keep them clasped together.

DAMSELFLIES IN EGG LAYING POSITION

DAMSELFLY TAKING REST AFTER THE ORDEAL

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