Common Whitetail Dragonfly - Plathemis lydia - Female
by Carol Senske
Title
Common Whitetail Dragonfly - Plathemis lydia - Female
Artist
Carol Senske
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
These are common dragonflies with the males and females looking very different. This is a female with the brown abdomen. They eat flying insects like mosquitoes and so are welcomed into our yard anytime:>). The males are territorial, meaning they patrol an area they believe is theirs and chase other males away. They perch on low twigs or even on the ground. I find they have favorite spots to sit and wait for prey, and if I startle them but stand still and wait, they generally return.
The nymphs (larval forms) live in water and eat aquatic insects and sometimes even small crayfish. When they are ready to morph into adult dragonflies, they crawl out onto a branch or weed, split their skin, pump up their wings, and fly off to eat, mate, lay eggs in the water.
This picture was taken in Green Lane, Pennsylvania, USA, on May 11, 2012. For more info on these beautiful and interesting insects you can visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Whitetail
http://bugguide.net/node/view/603
Uploaded
July 1st, 2012
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Viewed 727 Times - Last Visitor from Romeo, MI on 04/20/2024 at 4:54 AM
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Comments (3)
Latha Gokuldas Panicker
A perfect picture of a female dragon fly,Carol!! the description given is also very interesting..(i love dragon flies,Carol)
Carol Senske replied:
Dragonflies and damselflies are beautiful creatures. Thank you for the lovely comment, Latha!
Doris Potter
Wow, you got great shots of each sex! Very nice clarity and detail. F/V
Carol Senske replied:
Thank you:>). I have to get really close to them and that takes a while, even days, but determination worked:>) Also, big thanks for the V/F!
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