No, it’s not an alien life-form; and that’s all the help I’m giving you. What in the woods is it?
Answer
The tail end of a male lyre-tipped spreadwing damselfly, Lestes unguiculatus.
The terminal appendages on male damselflies, like the ones shown in this photo, are called the primary genitalia. This is because damselflies also have secondary genitalia. Before mating, damselfly males curve their abdomens around and put sperm from the back tip of the abdomen into their secondary genitalia, a set of organs near the front of the abdomen.
They use their pincher-like cerci to clasp a female by her thorax. If she is a willing partner, she curves the tip of her abdomen so that it contacts the male’s secondary genitalia. It is interesting that females in this group do have a choice of mates. They can say no.
Mating damselflies first fly in tandem, with the male in front, clasping the female. When she curves her abdomen around and makes contact, they form a wheel shape and, amazingly enough, they can fly in that position.
How this odd mating ritual evolved is a bit of a mystery, but it may be a male strategy to avoid being eaten by the female, as sometimes happens to other species of male insects and spiders.
Thanks to Bryan Pfeiffer for the use of this wonderful photo. To check out more of Bryan’s work, visit www.WingsPhotography.com.
This week’s contest winner was Ken Hunter of New Durham NH