photoartflightBlue Dasher Dragonfly With Water Mites
I was surprised to see so many water mites on this Blue Dasher Dragonfly! Usually you only see a few mites, but this one was really loaded with them! The water mites get onto late stage nymphs, then emerge with the nymph. As the dragonfly emerges from the nymph stage, the mites transfer to the adult dragonfly.
Closer view to show water mites
photoartflight 
Yikes, Reed. I too am used to seeing only a few mites when I happen to spot them on a dragonfly. Great shots of both the Blue Dasher and his mites.
Yes! I was surprised how many there were along the underneath of the dragonfly. I never saw that many before or since.
Excellent shots! Poor dragonfly, I imagine the mites are harmful to it.
Hi! I assume it would be harmful and it did not seem as active as others in the pond.
I didn’t know that dragonflies get mites! Thanks for your informative post. Looking forward to reading more of your work!
Thanks so much! I did not know either until I was researching as to what it was! Seems like it is more prevalent in small still water ponds.
Good to know, and I will keep my eyes open for it!
Very interesting. I never even noticed that before! I’ll have to look on some of my older dragonfly shots. Thanks for educating me. We’re never too old to learn!!! William
Thanks so much William! My problem is I am old and I am forgetting what I did learn!!
Great shot, Reed. I once read, although I don’t remember where and just failed in trying to find it, that sometimes mites hitch rides on dragonflies. Not all are parasitic from what the article said. Wish I could find it to verify my faulty memory. I once photographed a Calico Pennant that was covered with orange ones.
Thanks Steve! You are probably right! I just posted what I could find, but your info also makes sense!