Birth of a Darter
first stages

1. The darter is getting ready to leave the larvae shell, but it can still move the legs of the shell.
2. The shell has burst at the back and the darter is beginning to push out neck first.
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3. More pushing with the neck, and
4. Pop! Out came the head.
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5 and 6. More wriggling, and it slides slowly out.
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7. The jaw is beginning to inflate.
8. The legs are about ready to be pulled out of the shell.
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9. The jaw inflates further, the eyes are changing from larvae eyes to darter eyes.
10. The legs are free and can be moved. The upper part of the wings are now visible.
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11 and 12. Sliding a bit further, resting, sliding etc.
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13. The resting stage, the darter is inflating various parts of its body.
14. The eyes are still changing, she rubs her eyes as if they're itching.
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15. Ah, now, there she took the mickey out of me. After a good wait while she rested, the last bit of sliding out happened so quickly I didn't get to photograph it.
Now she needs to wait while her body and wings expand and dry up for her to be able to fly. The eyes now look like real darter eyes.
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If you're wondering why I know that this is a female, take a look at the below two photos ;-). The difference will only remain this visible until the transformation is complete.
Female
Male
All photos © Bente Feldballe
21-7-04 c