These Dragon-Bug Skins in Maine Are Creeping Everyone Out

So listen, if you’ve been walking around and noticing what looks like a semi-horror movie scene playing out under your feet, on the trees or your lawn furniture, don’t panic!

Even though it seems like you are being invaded by alien bugs, you’re not. What you’re seeing are the exoskeletons of dragon nymphs, yes, they are as wild to look at as they sound. It’s their skin!

According to Forum, these creepy little guys shed their skins, called exuvia, and before they become the frequent flyers we all love watching skim over our heads, dragonflies spend most of their lives, underwater, as nymphs.

They are fierce predators and to me are basically like the sharks of ponds, but eventually they will crawl out onto rocks, leaves, and molt one last time.

Ew, even the word molt bugs me. And that’s exactly what you are seeing, dragonfly nymphs are busting out of their old skins like new women trying to have a glow up, and flying off into the world.

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What’s lefts behind is a perfectly preserved body suit.

This happens in late spring or early summer, and in Maine, it’s happening right now.

So, if you see a pile of them, it means you’ve got a healthy body of water nearby.

So while they may look like ancient battle bugs, these shells are just natures version of an empty cocoon, but wicked creepy. Harmful, nope. Awesome, totally! Maine nature is so cool.