An empty dragonfly nymph husk, its former occupant now flies.

Dragonflies are creatures of two worlds. Both phases were on display at the Alderfer-Oenslager Wildlife Sanctuary in the Medina County Park System today. Dragonflies hatch from eggs and live the first portion of their lives as nymphs –aquatic creatures– six legs of predator seeking prey underwater. When, in the fullness of time, they reach maturity, dragonflies haul their alien-like bodies out into the air and grab hold of a leaf or twig. Then the nymph body is split open from the inside and the next phase of life begins … life as a creature of flight. In the air dragonflies seek prey and mates. The females dip their abdomens into still waters of ponds and marshes, lay their fertilized eggs there, and the cycle continues. No, that dry husk isn’t a dead insect … it has simply moved on.

The nymph’s body is split open from inside to reveal something like this.