[Odonata-l] tattered wings

[Richard Rowe]

ben at e-3d.co.uk wrote:
> I've seen dragonflies with tattered wings many times - great chunks missing
> from the trailing edges- Whats causes this?
> Is it the result of clashing with other dragonflies? parasites? or just normal
> wear and tear for a busy dragonfly?
> Ben Evenden
>
>   
yes

Add rubbing/striking vegetation (especially common in females) and the 
tendency of the wings to become more brittle with age so minor injuries 
sustained earlier in life cause bits to break off in response to flight 
stresses.  Perhaps attacks by small birds (larger birds tend to 
overpower the dragonfly very quickly if they do grasp it by more than a 
wing tip),

Richard

-- 
Dr Richard Rowe
Zoology & Tropical Ecology
School of Marine & Tropical Biology
James Cook University
Townsville 4811
AUSTRALIA

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