A dragonfly nymph lives in water for up to two years.The mature nymph leaves the water and anchors itself to a reed or a leaf. The full adult dragonfly emerges from the shell of the nymph (exoskeleton).The exoskeleton splits open along the back of the thorax. This was one of twelve empty exoskeletons on reeds in my garden pond. They are likely from a Broad bodied Chaser as both male and females have been seen around my pond in previous years.