The lip that catches prey

Transcription

A young dragonfly hunts underwater, long before it ever takes to the air.

Beneath its head, a long lower lip folds back into a compact mask.

When prey comes close, the hinged lip shoots forward.

Graspers at the tip catch the prey.

Then the lip pulls it back to the mouth.

This old illustration shows the hunter below the water and the winged adult above.

The dragonfly you see over a pond began life hunting underneath it.