Pinao, Giant Hawaiian Dragonfly
by Lehua Pekelo-Stearns
Title
Pinao, Giant Hawaiian Dragonfly
Artist
Lehua Pekelo-Stearns
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Giant Hawaiian dragonfly or Pinao are one of the largest and fastest flying dragonflies found in the United States. Floating plants like waterlilies make the perfect egg-laying spot for adult dragonflies like this beautiful one that had just landed on a waterlily leaf when I took this picture. They have two pair of wings and their wingspan can be up to seven inches wide. Pinao begin life without wings and live in streams and ponds. They molt several times before they finally develop wings and leave their aquatic habitat. They hunt by hovering high above their prey, and then swooping down to catch them with their front legs. Pinao eat mosquitoes, butterflies, bees and flies. Hawaiian myth says that the Pinao descended from the ant, or Naonao. They are endangered because introduced fish eat their larvae and their habitats have been reduced, due to water diversion for agriculture and development.
Uploaded
December 24th, 2011
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Comments (12)
Marcia Lee Jones
Dragonflies are so colorful! v.f
Lehua Pekelo-Stearns replied:
Thanks. There were several flying around that day I took this shot. This one was taking a break from all the activity. I think they were mating. ;)
Wayne Hardee
Superb photography, with an informative description. Congratulations on your sale.
Lehua Pekelo-Stearns replied:
Thank you Wayne. Your work is amazing all those tiny dots forming a beautiful picture. Wow!
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