Common Name
Habitat/Flight Dates
*Photo/scan at website
Skimmers
aka: Common Skimmers
15 CA genera with 40 species as of 10-2006
sizes: quite variable; lengths 21 - 61 mm
the most common of the families;
eyes broadly touching, forming a seam over face
males:showy non-metallic colors
some have patterned wings
bodies shorter than wingspans (30 -102 mm)
bodies may become pruinose in old age
females: often different colored than males
usually more brown or paler than males
but having similar markings
nymph: short, wide, sprawl
habitats: still waters, except for Clubskimmer and Red Rock Skimmer
behaviors: usually perch horizontally on twigs & vegetation;
fly out from perch to hawk prey and then often return to same twig;
males guard a temporary territory at edge of waterway;
glide while flying;
most females oviposit by scattering eggs on water's surface
CA flight period: mostly April - October
distribution: most common of the families
Photos by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 13
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 123, 130
CA&SW Dragonflies p.11
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 168-text
Audubon Guide, naiad pl. 42
Dragonflies N.A. key p.95-100, 612-842
*More Common Dragonflies (Odonata) [Common Dragonflies of Marin County] by Rich Stallcup
*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
*Photo of a nymph by Drees and general information at TX Coop Extension
The Tropical Pennants
Photo by Robert Berstock
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 148
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 224-text
Brachymesia furcata
Red-tailed Pennant
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
scan male
scan male
scans young male
scan female
scan female
wingspan 66 - 73 mm
male: very Meadowhawk like;
red face and abdomen; stocky;
thorax drab, olive green/brown;
reddish abdomen with black spots on top of segments 8 & 9;
upper appendages - 'ski-tip' shaped;
black legs;
wings have amber near base and a long pale stigma edged in black
female: reddish-brown with a pale stripe between wings and along top of abd.;
black smudge on top of last 2 abd. segments;
wings have amber near base and a long stigma like males
habitat: ponds, lakes, canals in arid areas; can tolerate brackish water
distribution: rare southern species
CA flight period: March - November
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 148-149; pl. 32
SW and CA&SW Dragonflies p.19
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 224; pl.42
Dragonflies N.A. p.88, 607, 612, 614
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
GENUS Brechmorhoga
The Clubskimmer
Photo by Rod Miller
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 171
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 241
Brechmorhoga mendax
Pale-faced Clubskimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male flying
photo male flying
photo male flying
photo female
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 68 - 86 mm
male: gray with pale face;
pale thoracic stripes;
rather narrow abdomen has club-shaped tip;
two large, closely spaced, pale yellowish spots on the top of abdomen tip are noticeable even in flight;
female: like male except tips and small basal area on wings brown;
abdomen not as constricted or clubbed
behavior: flies a beat along rivers & streams
habitat: rivers and streams
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: middle and southern California
CA Dragonflies p. 34
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 171-172; pl. 38
CA&SW Dragonflies p.53
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 241; pl. 46
Dragonflies N.A. p. 88, 598, 601, 609, 618-623
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by John Sterling at his photography site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson
at ODONATA PHOTOS
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
GENUS: Erythemis
The Pondhawks
size: moderate
description: sexes differently colored
behavior: rest on ground, floating logs
Photo female by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 149
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 211-text
Western Pondhawk
aka Lepthemis collocata
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan male
scan young male
scans young
male
scans young male
scans young male
scans immature male
scans female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 63 - 65 mm
male: mature male has blue body with dark blue eyes and green face;
immature male can still be green like female or part green and part pruinose blue (usually the thorax turns blue later than the abdomen);
wings entirely clear; pale sigma
similar species: quite similar to male Blue Dasher but Dasher's face is white;
somewhat similar to Comanche Skimmer which has white face and dark stigma;
see also behavior note as to perching habits
female: emerald green body with a thin dark line down the middle;
abdomen often turns yellowish near end
similar species: not at all similar to Blue Dasher female or any other female
behavior: Perches on ground/floating vegetation. This can be diagnostic as Blue Dasher doesn't do this
habitat: ponds
CA flight period: March - October;
possible in far southern areas in Feb. & March
distribution: statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 149-150; pl. 33
CA&SW Dragonflies p.41
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 212-text; pl.39 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.654-659
Stokes Guide p. 138-9
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos at Ray Bruun, Odonata of Shasta Co.
*Photos by John Sterling at his photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*5 Images fighting with a spider at Mink's Wildlife Images
from Videos in OR & WA
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin of a transitional male E. collocata/simplicollis taken in Yellowstone NP
The Dragonlets
NEW GENUS FOR CALIFORNIA 2006
Description: small, dark; males and females have different color forms; 3 SW species
Photo by David Blue
NEW SPECIES FOR CA - October 2006
male - CA
male - CA
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
scan male (AZ)
scan young male (AZ)
scan female
size: small/medium length 24 - 34 mm,
wingspan 43 - 53 mm
male: black abdomen develops thin blue pruinosity on segments 1-7; face tawny to metallic black; wings clear except hind wing often with small basal dark amber patch
female: yellow with brown side stripe
habitat: marshy ponds, lakes
CA flight period: October
distribution: SE Imperial County, Imperial Dam Recreation Area
CA&SW Dragonflies p.49
Dragonflies - Binoculars - pl. 37 & pg. 205
*Photos by David Blue and Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Ryan Sawby at Arizona Odonata- Family Libellulidae
*Photos by Greg Lasley at his Nature Photography site
*Photo by Robert Behrstock at Forrest Mitchell's DIGITAL DRAGONFLY MUSEUM
*Scan of male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scan of female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
The Whitefaced Skimmers
size: small, lengths 27 - 35 mm;
wingspans 43 - 60 mm
male: small, black heads with white-faces;
most have thorax & 1st 2 abdomen segments red;
wings mostly clear;
need to examine in hand comparing terminal appendages, hamules and sometimes
wing venation to completely determine ID as coloring is highly variable within species;
use CA Key for determinations
female: the same as male or yellowish where male is red;
nymph: small, smooth and slender; greenish in appearance with brownish markings
habitat: common in bog lakes, ponds with floating vegetation; usually in the mountains
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: northern lakes in Mts.
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 130
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 226
Crimson-ringed Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo female
scans
male
scan teneral male
scans pair
scans teneral female '99
scans teneral females `01
scan teneral female and exuvia
wingspan 52 - 60 mm
male: dark eyes; bright white face;
abdomen black except first two segments which are red; thorax - red marks;
abdominal segment # 7 is entirely black;
female: same as male or yellowish where male is red; can show color on top of segments 1-8
similar species: one of four very similar Whiteface species;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key;
almost identical to Red-waisted Whiteface which has only been found in CA at Willow Lake in Plumas Co.; Use wing venation to make determination
habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks, bogs in mountains;
most abundant at peat lands and peat-margined lakes
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: only common at northern lakes
CA Dragonflies p. 36
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 132-133; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.51
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 231; pl.43
Dragonflies N.A. p.688-695, 699
Stokes Guide p. 154
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Website
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies of Shasta County Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
Hudsonian Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo young female
photo mature female
wingspan 43 - 55 mm
male: dark with red markings on abdomen segments 1-6; white face;
female: male-like or yellow where male is red
similar species: compare to juvenile Dot-tailed Whiteface;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key
habitat: marshes/ponds/rivers/swamps/meadows
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: northern lakes
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 132-133; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.50
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 228; pl. 43
Dragonflies N.A. p.688-695, 699
Stokes Guide p. 155
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by John Sterlingat his dragonflies photography website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon and Washington
*Scans by by Dennis Paulson at
Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts
Dot-tailed Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo mature female
photo immature female
scans
male
scans male
scan female
wingspan 48 - 52 mm
male: black head with bright white face;
black thorax; abdomen with large yellow dot (rarely reddish) only onseventh segment;
immatures can have yellow areas on top of the abdomen near the thorax
female: broader body than male; can show some yellowish on abdomen top
similar species: compare juvenile to Hudsonian Whiteface;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key
habitat: spring-fed ponds, bogs & lakes;
can be common in marshy bays, farm ponds and slow streams
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: common only in the mountains of northern California
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 131-132; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.52
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 227-text; pl.43 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.97,598, 604, 687-694, 697
Stokes Guide p. 152-3
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photo by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies of Shasta County Website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Photo by Allen Chamber
at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Allen Chartier at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
new SPECIES FOR CA - 98!
Leucorrhinia proxima
Belted Whiteface [renamed fall 2004] aka Red-waisted Whiteface
photo male
photo female
scan male
scan female
wingspan 49 - 55 mm
male: very similar to Crimson-ringed;
dark head with white face;
black body with red on top of thorax and upper abdomen;
can show some red down length of abdomen
similar species:
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key ;
almost identical to Crimson-ringed Whiteface which is much more common
within the state; use wing venation to determine between the two
habitat: Swamps, bogs, lakes
CA flight period: June - August
distribution: only known in CA at Willow Lake, Plumas Co.
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 133-134; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.51
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 230; pl. 43
Dragonflies N.A. p.690-692, 694, 698
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
The King Skimmers
male: common, showy;
some have color in wings
female: less colorful; often brown with yellow
nymph: hairy; sprawl on bottom
behavior: females usually oviposit alone (non-tandem) while males hover guard nearby
Photo by Rod Miller
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 13
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 128
BC p. 71
Comanche Skimmer
photos male
photos males
photo male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo female
photos
female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos females
wingspan 70 - 88 mm
male: blue body with blue or
dark green eyes; very pale face;
wings clear with unusal bi-colored (white and black) stigma;
stigma - mostly light colored area with only a small dark area;
female: brown & yellow with black stripe down back of abdomen; face tan;
wings sometimes with small darkish area at tips &/or leading edge; bicoloredstigma same as male
similar species: Blue Dasher doesn't have bi-colored stigma;
Western Pondhawk has green face;
Bleached Skimmer has dark stigma;
habitat: ponds, ditches, canals & rivers; hot springs
CA flight period: May - October
CA&SW Dragonflies p.39
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 178; pl. 30
Dragonflies N.A. p.704-707, 710
Stokes Guide p. 132-3
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his dragonflies photography website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans of a male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of a female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scan male by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan female by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Bleached Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photos males
photos males
photo male
photos pair
photos pair
photo female
scan male
scan male
scans male
scan female
wingspan 70 - 88 mm
male: mature male is pruinose pale blue with a 'bleached' look;
often shows dark smudges on abdomen where pruinosity rubbed off;
pale blue eyes; face almost white;
dark spot at wing bases near thorax, dark veins; stigma all dark, narrow and wide;
often shows a dark spot on wings at nodus;
pale costa (vein along the leading edge of the
wing);
female: yellow & dark with yellow patches along sides of abd.; 'plaid' look;
wings same as male's
tandem oviposit
similar species: Comanche Skimmer has bi-colored light stigma;
Western Pondhawk has green face;
Blue Dasher male and females have clear wings in CA;
Hoary Skimmer does not develop white pruinosity on wings
habitat: alkali ponds; springs
CA flight period: May - September
CA&SW Dragonflies p.38
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 182; pl. 32
Dragonflies N.A. p.706, 711
*Photo by John Sterling at his CA Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo #1 and #2 by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photos & text on tandem pairs at Windsofkansas.com by Roy Beckemeyer
Neon Skimmer
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan female
wingspan 74 - 90 mm
male: very bright neon red/pink abdomen;
thorax & underside can be tannish;
abdomen and thorax wider than most other Skimmers;
wings have a reddish wash only near the abdomen
female: tan/orange with noticeable pale stripe top of thorax; wings mostly clear
similar species: Flame Skimmer body narrower and wing color out to nodus; click for comparison shots
behavior:often perch in the shade
habitat: marshy creeks & drainage ditches
CA flight period: June - October
distribution: southern species;
but range expanding, see distribution map
CA&SW Dragonflies p.13
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 181-text; pl.32 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.703-705, 708, 712, 713
Stokes Guide p. 122
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by John Stirling at his Odonata Photos Website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his California Odes website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*scans at Windsofkansas.com by Roy Beckemeyer
*Scanned dragonfly by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, TX
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Eight-spotted Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo newly emerged
wingspan 77 - 80 mm
male: abdomen and thorax top develop light blue pruinosity; dark face; brown eyes;
blue abdomen sometimes shows pale side spots;
two dark spots on each wing with white pruinosity between, outer dark spot forms a # 8,
outer dark spots touch leading and traling edges; wingtips clear
female: body brown with 'dashed-line' yellow side stripe (not angled dashes);
yellow thoracic stripes; can develop some white pruinosity on wings
similar species: 12-spotted Skimmer - dark wingtips; middle dark spots only touch leading wing edge;
female common Whitetail has angled dashed line on wide abdomen;
Hoary Skimmer shows only a small dark area at wing nodus;
Comparison shot of 8 & 12-spotted Skimmers
& females inc. Common Whitetail
hint: count dark spots on 1 wing X 4 = 4, 8, or 12-spotted
habitat: ponds, lakes, roadside ditches & fields
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: most abundant in central and northern counties
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 160-161; pl. 36
CA&SW Dragonflies p.11, 35
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 173; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p.702, 707, 714
Stokes Guide p. 124-5
*Photo by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata website
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos by John Sterling at his dragonfly photography website
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*2 motion images at
Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
in OR & WA
*Scan comparing 8 to 12 Spotted Skimmers
at Dennis Paulson's WA Gallery
Chalk-fronted Corporal
aka Ladona julia
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
male:dark brown with a chalky white pruinosity restricted to front half of abdomen;
2 wide white pruinose stripes top of thorax;
eyes & face brown;
wings clear with dark basal markings
female: orangish honey-brown; black stripe along top of stubby abd.;
pale stripes atop thorax thinner than male's; wings similar to male's;
can become prunoise like male with age
nymph: sprawlers found within fine, loose organic matter
near/among aquatic vegetation of bog ponds/swampy bays,
also found in slow sections of streams or their outlets into ponds/lakes
found in waters of varying acidity
habitat: slow waters of marshes/bogs/swampy lakes/ponds/streams/rivers
behavior: often seen resting on rocks, logs or the bare ground
distribution: somewhat rare northern species
CA flight period: June - August
CA & CA&SW Dragonflies - inside dust jacket
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
BC p. 71-72
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 176; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 682-686
Stokes Guide p. 130
*Photos by John Striling at his Dragonfly Photo Gallery
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon and Washington
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by Mark O'Brien at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photo by Mark O'Brien at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Key to larva in Michigan, at UMMZ
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
Widow Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo young male
photo young male
photos young males
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan female
wingspan 76 - 80 mm
male: body turns a pruinose pale blue;
top of thorax has 2 wide light blue stripes;
wing halves nearest abdomen are a blackish brown developing white on
outside;
abdomen can show darkish smudge mid-length where female contact rubs off the
pruinosity
female: brown with continuous abdominal golden-yellow side stripes joining above seg.1;
wings like male except also has small dark areas at tip
habitat: ponds, lakes, marshes, rivers, etc.
CA flight period: May - October
distribution: spreading, becoming statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 163-164; pl. 34, 35
CA Insects - p. 49 #26
CA&SW Dragonflies p.36
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 170; pl. 28, cover picture
Dragonflies N.A. p. 702-703, 707-708, 716
Audubon Guide: Widow plate 365
Stokes Guide p. 15, 128
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo(s) by John Sterling at his Dragonfly Photography Website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo sequence of emergence by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan of nymph at Digital Dragonflies
*Scan of exuvia
at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer
at Odonata Photo Album
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Stephen B. Ross
at Michigan Odonata Photo Archive, UMMZ
Common Whitetail
aka Genus Plathemis
aka White Tail
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo young male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo teneral male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female in flight
photos female ovipositing
wingspan 65 - 75 mm
male: broad abdomen matures to a gleaming white (can be a very thin pale blue at first);
top of thorax not all white;
wings have a broad dark band 1/3 width, another smaller black area at the base; develops white area below this inner dark area;
immature (non-white) males with brown and yellow abdomen can easily be told from a female as they will have the broad wing bands
similar species: compare male in the desert
to male Desert Whitetail which is smaller and has more white on the wings and upper thorax;
Widow Skimmer has dark on wings next to body
female: sexually dimorphic; wings patterned differently than male's
fat brown body with a row of slightly slanted yellow side dashes that is not continuous;
3 dark spots each wing, including one at tip
similar species: female is very similar to 12-spotted Skimmer which has yellow stripe down side of abdomen that is straight and not dashed;
Comparison shot of females of 3 species: 8-spotted,
12-spotted Skimmers & Common Whitetail;
Desert Whitetail - 2 zig-zag stripes each wing;
Eight-spotted Skimmer female - only 2 dark patches on each wing
nymph: stout, robust, smooth
behavior: often perch on rocks in lakes or on or near the ground;
In 1955, M.E. Jacobs found that the white color of the male's
abdomen was used in display to other males in a contest for territory and that
its color did not influence female choice
habitat: lakes, marshes, streams, rivers at low-moderate elevations;
can tolerate very shallow water, including sites that have been trampled by livestock
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 153-154; pl. 34, 35
California Insects - p. 49 #24
CA&SW Dragonflies p.33
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 171; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p.91, 606, 782-785
Audubon Guide: White Tail plate 347
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91
Stokes Guide p. 126-7
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo by Bob Miller at Southwest Birders
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos at Eric Preston Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos at John Sterling Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo of female by Dennis Paulson
at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Photos"
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva Photos"
*Photos by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Key to larva in Michigan, at UMMZ
Hoary Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
tandem ovipositing
tandem ovipositing
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan pruinose older female
wingspan 76 - 82 mm
male: body light blue with pale areas along sides;
thorax has two broken yellow stripes;
clear wings have a small dark area at the base and a small median spot at the nodus;
the basal dark wing area is surrounded by pale pruinosity;
no white on the wing further out;
female: grayish brown where male is blue with yellow dashes down the abdomen side;
wings like males' but no pale pruinosity
similar species: 8-spotted Skimmer has much larger wing spots;
4-spotted has a brown body that is tapered and brown on the wings
habitat: springs, slow streams; seeps
behavior: tandem oviposit (most Libellula don't)
CA flight period: late April - September
distribution: fairly rare, found in foothills
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 161-162; pl. 34, 35
CA&SW Dragonflies p.37
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 175-text; pl.29 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.89, 703, 705, 718
*Photos at Ray Bruun, Odonata of Shasta Co.
*Photo pairs by Alan Wight at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photo pairs by John Sterling at his Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
aka Ten Spot
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo immature male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos females
photos females
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan female
scan female
scan teneral female
wingspan 84 - 92 mm
male: abdomen develops bluish-white pruinosity;
each wing has three large dark spots, including a dark spot at each wing tip;
as it ages, white areas of pruinosity develop between the dark spots;
female: body and thorax background color brown;
yellow stripes on thorax;
brown abdomen has a continuous yellow stripe on each side;
the wings show no white
similar species: 8-spotted Skimmer has clear wing tips; female 8-spotted develops white pruinosity on wings;
Comparison shot of 8 vs 12-spotted Skimmer males;
Comparison shot of 8-spotted & 12-spotted Skimmers &
Co. Whitetail females
habitat: shallow warm ponds, lakes, rivers
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: more common in central and northern CA
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 159-160; pl. 34, 35
CA Insects - p. 49 #25
CA&SW Dragonflies p.37
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 173; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 97, 703, 707-708, 714, 719, 782, 786
Audubon Guide: Twelve-spot Skimmer plate 348
Stokes Guide p. 39, 124-5
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies & Damselflies website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos at John Sterling Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scan comparing 12 to 8 Spotted Skimmers
at Dennis Paulson's WA Gallery
*Photo of female by Dennis Paulson
at University of Puget Sound's Odonata Photos
*Photo of male by William Radke
at The Dragonflies of New Mexico
*Photo by Allen Chamber at Odonata Photo Archive
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan of nymph & exuvia, teneral photo
at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Allen Chartier at Odonata Photo Archive, UMMZ
*Photo by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Vincent Hickey at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos & scan by Ann Johnson at
Iowa Odonates
*Photos males by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo female by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by Dave McShaffrey
at Ohio Odonata
Four-spotted Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo males
photo female
photo female
wingspan 66 - 72 mm
male: olive to orange-ish brown body, thorax somewhat hairy;
dashed yellow markings on abdomen sides; abdomen darkens at end;
each wing has a small dark spot at nodus;
base of hind wing has a larger dark yellow/brown area which is somewhat triangular shape;
leading wing edges can be orange-ish;
female: very similar to male, a little less colorful
similar species: compare to other female Skimmers, but 4-spotted's wings are more colorful
habitat: slow waters of marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, rivers
CA flight period: late May - October
CA distribution: more common on the eastern side of the state;
one of the most widespread dragonflies of the world; common in Europe
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 158-159; pl. 26
CA&SW Dragonflies p.47
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 174; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 703, 707, 720
Stokes Guide p. 15, 129
*Photo of damaged adult by Ron Lyons at Damsels and Dragons- the Insect Order Odonata
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by Alan Wight at at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies photo gallery
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
Flame Skimmer
aka Belonia saturata
(Big) Red Skimmer
Firecracker Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male, side view
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo male emerging
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female in flight
photo female ovipositing
wingspan 85 - 95 mm
male: all red! - body, eyes, face;
red legs; thorax unstriped red;
basal half of wings reddish (out to slightly beyond nodus with a streak along leading edge), red veins;
female: less colorful, especially the wings;
body peachy orange colored with a pale stripe top of thorax and between wings;
wings usually with red-orange color on leading edges and veins only;
male-colored form does exist (see scan)
similar species: Neon Skimmer's wing coloration does not reach
the nodus & its body is wider; Click here for comparison shot;
Cardinal Meadowhawk is smaller; holds wings forward when perched, not flat; shows more red, less orange on body;
wing color more disfuse
habitat: ponds, lakes and slow streams/pools of rivers
CA flight period: March - November;
in far southern areas of state possible from Feb. into December
distribution: very common through out state
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 167-168; pl. cover & 37
CA Insects - p. 49 #27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.12
CA & CA&SW Dragonflies - cover/dust jacket
LA Insects: Big Red Skimmer Fig 21, 22
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 181; pl. 32
Audubon Guide: Red Skimmer p. 360, 376
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 702-708, 712, 721
Stokes Guide p. 122
*Photo by Ron Lyons at Checklist of Odonata of California
*Photos by Stevem at Dragonfly Close-ups
*Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos at John Sterling's Odonata Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson of male eating at his dragonfly biodiversity site
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Desert Whitetail
aka Genus Plathemis
aka Western White Tail
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan mature male top; side
male side
male top
scan immature male top; side
scan male specimen
scan female top; side
wingspan 64 - 76 mm (smaller than Co. Whitetail)
male: gleaming white abdomen; top of thorax becomes all white;
wings - 2 zigzag black bands in middle third, usually show some dark shading between them;
develops a large amount of white on inside of wing near body; appendages dark;
immature males may show white pruinosity on wings before they develop white pruinosity on abdomens
similar species: compare male to male Common Whitetail which is larger and has less white on the wings; pale appendages
female: brown body with row of bright yellow spots high on each side;
dual zigzag stripes mid-wings (can rarely show dark between them); clear wingtips;
2 very pale, jagged thoracic stripes
habitat: marshes, pools, slow streams, springs, ditches in deserts, semi-deserts; frequents salt flats
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: look for it in Owens Valley & Modoc Co.
CA&SW Dragonflies p.32
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 172; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p. 784-786
*Photos by Doug Aguillard at Dragonfly Photos Website
*Photos by Tom Murray at Dragonfly Photos Website
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson at Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by Radke and Larsen at The New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
The Marl Pennant
Photo by Rosser Garrison
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 172
Marl Pennant
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
male: fat head; dark eyes; all dark body and abdomen
dark basal batch hind wing; smaller dark basal area on forewing
female: paler than male - top of abdomen and thorax golden brown;
sides of thorax have 3 pale areas; pale face; dark tip of abdomen;
wings like male's
similar species: compare to larger Black Saddlebags
habitat: brackish coastal ponds, desert oasis; a specialist on saline and especially alkaline habitats; highly saline tolerant but can live in freshwater
CA flight period: May - October
distribution: southern species (Colorado River & near Salton Sea)
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 172-173; pl. 39
CA&SW Dragonflies p.30
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 223; pl. 42
Dragonflies N.A. p.90, 598, 724-725
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies of CA site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo male by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo female by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose
at his homepage
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
The Tropical King Skimmers
distribution: southern
Photo by Dave Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 168
Roseate Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo winter males
photo immature male
photo pair
photo female
photo female
male: abdomen rose-pink colored; thorax fore-pink or bluish purple; tip of abd. can become red-orange;
wings - clear except tiny narrow tip with brown
female: orange-ish brown abdomen;
thorax brownish with light stripe along back;
side stripes on thorax look like outline of a `hill';
ovipositor flange readily noticeable;
narrow dark color on wing-tips
habitat: ponds, lakes, temporary pools, canals
CA flight period: May - January
distribution: southern species
since 1875 this species has spread from the Florida Keys to occurring
thru-out all the southern areas in the United States
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 168-169; pl. 32
CA&SW Dragonflies p.25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 185; pl. 33
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90, 598, 600, 755-758
Stokes Guide p. 143
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonata Photos Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Specimens
*Photo comparing with O. discolor by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Photos"
*Photos by Dave Biggs taken in Hawaii
*Scans s by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photos by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan at Digital Dragonflies, Texas - FAMILY LIBELLULIDAE
*Photos by Joshua Stuart Rose
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo female by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo male by James Lasswell
*Photos by Dave McShaffrey at Ohio Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
at his homepage, inc. one in spider's grip
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
The Dashers
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 150
Blue Dasher
aka Swift Long-winged Skimmer
aka Blue Pirate
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photos male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
emergence photos of a male
photo female
photo female
photos females
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos young female
emergence photos of a female
wingspan to 48 - 50 mm
male: thorax and abdomen mostly pruinose blue; can have dark tip to abd.;
eyes blue-green; immature males have brown eyes;
distinctive white face with a black 'nose' spot;
in CA thorax turns all pruinose blue, elsewhere in US side stripes remain;
in CA wings are almost completely clear with just a hint of tawny color at
extreme base, elsewhere in US may develop a large orange-tinge basally;
sexually dimorphic;
similar species: Western Pondhawk - face color is green); see behavior note;
Comanche Skimmer has large bi-colored stigma;
Bleached Skimmer has brown spot at wing nodus
female: rectangular buff marks on a dark background; no other dragonfly is like it
habitat: ponds, marshes, lakes, streams, rivers - all slow waters
behavior: perch on vegetation several inches or feet above the water, unlike the very
similar male Western Pondhawk which often perches on or near ground;
both species tend to hold wings down and forward when at rest
CA flight period: April - November;
in far southern areas of CA possible in late Feb. & March during warm winters
distribution: very common statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 150; pl. 33
CA&SW Dragonflies p.40
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 210; pl. 39
Audubon Guide: Swift Long-winged Skimmer pl. 349 p.13
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90, 760-762
Stokes Guide p. 136-7
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by Eric Preston at his Dragonfly photography website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonfly photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*3 motion images
at Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at WA Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by James Lasswell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose
at his homepage
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer
at Odonata Photo Album
*Photo by Allen Chamber
at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana) site
*Photo of nymph at Odonata Larvae of Michigan
*Photo by Paul D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata
*Photos by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
The Red Rock Skimmer
Photo by Dave Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 170
Red Rock Skimmer
aka Rusty Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
possibe migratory event
wingspan 90 - 95 mm
male: abdomen patterned intricately with dark red and black; face dark red and eyes rusty red;
rusty red on base of inner wings nearly out to nodus;
thorax can be olive-brown on sides;
female: intricate muted earth tone colors in bold batik-like pattern;
wings are clear with no red at all
similar species: compare to Flame Skimmer, Western Meadowhawk, Neon Skimmer, none of which have a patterned top of abdomen
habitat: rocky stream beds, even temporary ones; usually moving water;
also other streams/ponds in fairly arid areas
behavior: lands on rock sides in midstream;
male guards females during ovipositing from ~ 8 inches above
CA flight period: March - December
distribution: common only in suitable habitat
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 170, pl. 38
CA&SW Dragonflies p.14
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 188; pl. 34
Audubon Guide:
Rusty Skimmer plate 375
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90 598, 607, 764-765
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonata Photos website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
The Rainpool Gliders
migratory - often follow weather fronts
nymph - pale with light brown markings;
development varies by temperature/food availability: 36 - 145 days!
active, fast-growing; OK even in temporary habitats, including those created by man
Photo by Rod Miller
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 176
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 22, 215
Wandering Glider
aka Globe Skimmer (Europe)
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
in flight
photo female
scan male side
scan male top
scan female side
scan female top
scan female top
scans female
wingspan 83 - 91 mm
male: dull yellowish brown colored body with dark pattern on abdomen top;
yellowish face;
clear wings, pale stigma;
hind wing very wide with no basal spot;
strong gliding flight; vagrant and migrant; follows weather fronts
female: less colorful; duller
similar species: compare to Spot-winged Glider
Comparison photo - Wandering vs. Spot-winged Glider
habitat: open still waters of ponds, rivers;
frequently found in back yards and fields;
larval habitat is temporary or warm shallow pools
behavior: gliding flight; strong flyer;
wandering, vagrant, migrant: this is a truly cosmopolitan species;
can swarm in large numbers over grassy fields in summer, often with smaller
numbers of Pantala hymenaea, Spot-winged Glider
CA flight period: March - early January
distribution: nearly worldwide distribution;
most common in CA in lowland areas
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 178-179, pl. 40
CA&SW Dragonflies p.45
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 215; pl. 40
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90, 608, 767-771
Stokes Guide p. 115
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Eric Preston at Eric Preston Photography
*Photo pairs by Alan Wight at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonfly Photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photo by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Ode News, Cape Cod
*Photo by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
Spot-winged Glider
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos emerging
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan mature male top
scan immature male top
scan young male side
scans female
scan nymph
& exuviae
wingspan 86 - 96 mm
male: robust; body patterned golden browns to dull olive-green;
clear wings; wide hind wing has dark basal spot;
wings have a tawny or rufous colored stigma;
dark reddish face and eyes;
female: like male, patterned less boldly; yellow face
similar species: generally lighter colored than Wandering Glider
which has no wing spot;
Comparison photo - Wandering vs. Spot-winged Glider
habitat: lakes, yards, open still waters of ponds/sand pits; canals;
larval habitat is temporary or warm shallow pools
behavior: strong gliding flight; migrate; often seen after weather change;
sometimes swarms with Pantala flavescens, Wandering Glider, and darners;
will oviposit into temporary waters after rainstorms as nymph can develop and emerge within 6 wks or less!
CA flight period: March - October
distribution: common in lowlands statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 176-178, pl. 40
CA&SW Dragonflies p.44
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 216-text; pl.40 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.608, 769-771
Stokes Guide p. 114
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies & Damselflies
of Massachusetts
*Photo by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
The Amberwings
distribution: found in the south
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 152
Mexican Amberwing
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo female
photos female
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 41 - 44 mm
male: all orange/yellowish, even wings which cast an orange shadow; thorax can be tawny
female: body similar to male's; small but robust size;
wings: leading edge amber colored with 2 amber stripes (containing some
darker areas) projecting towards trailing edge
behavior: very unwary; tend to perch on twigs
habitat: lakes, ponds, lagoons, slow streams & pools of rivers, ditches
CA flight period: April - November
distribution in California: only found in the southern parts of the state
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 152; pl. 32
CA&SW Dragonflies p.26
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 208; pl. 38
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91, 775-776
Stokes Guide p. 116
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Scan at Southwest Dragonflies (CA)
*Photos at Sterling's Odonate Photos
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
The Filigree Skimmers
distribution: found in the south
Photo by Rod Miller
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 33
Dragonflies N.A. p. 788
Filigree Skimmer
New species added to CA records 5-04!
photo male - NM
photo male - NM
photo female - AZ
scan male
scan female
wingspan 63 - 73 mm
male: wings variably dark and lacy, sometimes almost all dark; brown body with pale chevrons ages to nearly all black; eyes are striped and when mature are nearly all black
female: body & eyes similar to male's; wings more open and lace-like; spout-like ovipositor
behavior: fly much like a butterfly; perch low, often on rocks/debris, often in oblique posture if it is hot
habitat: rocky, clear streams
CA flight period: May
distribution in California: only found San Diego Co.
CA&SW Dragonflies p.46
Dragonflies N.A. p. 788
*Photos [state record] by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
The Meadowhawks
size: medium
male: most are reddish, similar;
IDs by different forms of male genitalia
eggs: some species undergo diapause in development; can also survive desiccation
nymph: small, slender, mottled with green and brown; sprawl in bottom trash;
closely resemble Whiteface nymph
behavior: poor flyers; hold wings forward when at rest
habitat: ponds, wet meadows;
some species can develop in temporary water bodies with rapid growth completed in 57 to 100+ days
distribution: most abundant in fall
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 136
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 190
Variegated Meadowhawk
aka Genus Tarnetrum
aka Robust Pink or Pastel Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo young male
photo young male
photo very old male
photo very old male
multiple photos
photo pair in wheel
photo pair ovipositing
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan young male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 60 - 64 mm
male: coloration quite variable; olive-green/gray and reddish plaid;
abdomen turns redder as it matures;
when immature can appear mostly black and white;
or an intricate pattern of orange rings with pale blue spots;
all color phases have at least 3 white spots low on the sides of the
abdomen, near the end;
eyes are cranberry colored;
2 oblique white stripes on thorax sides are not always complete and
appear as only 2 yellow dots/dashes when mature;
clear wings have leading edge with reddish veins;
wings have bi-colored stigma;
use appendages for help in identification
female: similar; much less red: more muted grayish or orange-ish
nymph: over-winter; mid-dorsal abdominal hooks absent
behavior: migratory; over-winter
may have one migratory & one resident population;
tandem egg laying
habitat: water near grasslands, grasslands;
all slow waters inc. brackish
larval habitat is ponds
CA flight period: January - December;
perhaps over-winters; small #s can sometimes be seen on warm sunny winter days;
found most often in fall, early winter, not as often in spring
distribution: found in all counties of CA and in most months of the year in most counties
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 145-147; pl. 31
CA Insects - p. 49 #28
CA&SW Dragonflies p.24
Dragonflies of Washington p. 28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 192; pl. 35
Dragonflies N.A. p. 798-804, 808
Audubon Guide: Robust Pink Skimmer pl. 370
LA Insects: Pastel Skimmer Fig 25
Dragonflies N.A. p. 604, 797-807, 810
Stokes Guide p. 150
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos at Eric Preston Photography, Dragonflies (CA)
*Photos at John Sterling Photography, Dragonflies (CA)
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Photo by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*10 motion images at Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
in OR & WA
*Photo at Royal BC Museum, Columbia Basin Project
*Photo by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photos & text on tandem pairs at Windsofkansas.com by Roy Beckemeyer
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by James Lasswell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Dave Westover
at his Odonata Photos site in Wisconsin
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo male
photo male
photo juvenile male
photo young male
photo pair
photo pair
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan male
scans male
scan male top
scan male side
scans male - Willow Lake
scans teneral male - Grass Lake
scans pair, top view
scan pair, side views
scan pair, side views
scan female
scans female - Willow Lake
scans female
scan teneral female side
wingspan 50 - 56 mm
male: body red to brownish-red when mature; eyes two-toned;
wings with leading edges and front veins golden;
stigma yellow with black edges;
red abdomen with underside black;
legs striped with black on sides;
female: saffron yellowish where male is reddish
similar species: compare to other Meadowhawks using appendages
habitat: woody or weedy marshes, lakes, creeks, bogs, streams, rivers;
also sand or gravel pit ponds
CA flight period: June - October
CA distribution: common only at higher elevations in eastern areas of state
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 139-140; pl. 29
CA&SW Dragonflies p.23
Dragonflies of Washington p. 28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 196-text; pl.35 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.604, 797-807, 810
Stokes Guide p. 148
*Photos by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photo(s) by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography website
*Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Black Meadowhawk
aka Black Darter (Europe)
photo male
photo male
photos newly emerged males
photo pair in wheel
photo female
photo female
photos juvenile female
photo emerging female
scans male
scan male
scan male
scan immature male
scans immature male
scan immature male - OR
scan immature male - OR
scan pair
scans female
scans female - Willow Lake
wingspan 40 - 54 mm
male: mature is all black including face; clear wings;
immature shows complex yellow markings on thorax sides including 3 yellow dots within black mid-stripe;
yellow down the abdomen and on face;
the only male Meadowhawk with no red;
wings clear except extreme base; legs black
female: similar to immature male; shows more yellow
similar species:compare to Whitefaces;
use appendages for help in identification
habitat: marshy ponds and bogs on peaty soils; sometimes lakes, streams, rivers
CA flight period: June - October
distribution: common only in higher elevations of Cascades and Sierras
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 136-137; pl. 28
CA&SW Dragonflies p.48
Dragonflies of Washington p. 29
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 190; pl. 34
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91, 795-807, 810
Dragonflies N.A. p. 604, 797-807, 810
Stokes Guide p. 151
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
archaic Genus Tarnetrum
Cardinal Meadowhawk
aka Streak-winged Red Skimmer
aka Dusty Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photos young male
photo male (young)
photo male (young)
photo male (young)
photos immature males
photo mating pair
photos tandem pairs
tandem pair
photo ovipositing pair
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo young female
photos of eggs
photos of emergence
photos of emergence
scans males
scans males
scans male
scans male
scans female 2006
scans female 1999
scans female 2000
scans nymph 2000
scans of exuviae
wingspan 55 - 60 mm
male: cardinal red head, thorax, abdomen, wing veins;
stubbier appearance than other Meadowhawks;
small white spots on thorax sides;
reddish legs;
red on wings is only close to body and near the leading edge;
wings have inconspicuous dark streaks at extreme base
female: much less colorful, mostly dull brown but sometimes quite reddish
some patterning on sides of abdomen; face can be pale
similar species: Flame Skimmer is larger; red on its wings goes clear out to nodus;
most other Meadowhawks have black areas low on the sides of their abdomens;
Red-veined Meadowhawk has black legs; no black at wing base;
use appendages for help in identification
behavior: holds wings forward when at rest;
tandem egg laying
habitat: ponds, lakes, slow rivers
CA flight period: March - December
once found in January
distribution: common statewide, less so in Sacramento Valley
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 147-148; pl. 30
CA&SW Dragonflies p.16
Dragonflies of Washington p. 28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 192; pl. 34
Audubon Guide: Streak-winged Red Skimmer pl. 359
LA Insects: Red-tinged Skimmer Fig 23, 24
Dragonflies N.A. p.91, 799-805, 811
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photo at Photos by William Zittrich in California
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo(s) by Eric Preston at Eric Preston Photography
*Photo pairs by Alan Wight at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by John Sterling at his California Dragonflies website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk
photo male
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scans female
wingspan 46 - 52 mm
male: overall dark (brownish) red;
plain thorax;
black legs;
cherry red face, clear black line bottom quarter of lower lip;
red wing veins;
black marks low on abdomen sides
female: body less colorful; some have wings halves near base amber colored
juvenile: can have brown abd. with yellow face
similar species: Compare to other Meadowhawks;
use appendages for help in identification
habitat: wet meadows & slow waters;
marshes/lakes/ponds/streams/rivers
CA flight period: June - September
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 141; pl. 29
CA&SW Dragonflies p.20
Dragonflies of Washington p. 29
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 198; pl. 36
Dragonflies N.A. p. 797, 801-807, 812-815
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
*Photo by Terry Thormin at Dragonflies and Damselflies Photo Gallery
*Photo by Terry Thormin at Dragonflies and Damselflies Photo Gallery
Red-veined Meadowhawk
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos males
photo immature male
photo female
photo female
photo immature female
wingspan 56 - 62 mm
male: dark red face & abdomen;
white thoracic side stripes often partly obscured by red;
legs black; underside of abdomen dark;
sometimes just a little black shows atop segs 8 & 9 and lower side of abd;
leading edge of wing colored red;
red `stripe' in wings goes out to and touches stigma;
red in wings is not as diffuse near base as in Cardinal Meadowhawk;
no black areas near wing base;
stigma is black or red and a little longer than that of Cardinal Meadowhawk;
use appendages in identification
female: Dijon mustard face, thoracic stripes, abdomen
similar species: compare to Cardinal Meadowhawk which has black in wings at base; no black underside; reddish not black legs
habitat: ponds, marshes, lakes
behavior: can develop in ephemeral sites
flight period: April - September
CA Dragons&Damsels p.135, 144-145; pl.30
CA&SW Dragonflies p.17
Dragonflies of Washington p. 28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 194-text; pl.35 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p. 795-799, 801-805, 814
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata website
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo(s) by Eric Preston at Eric Preston Photography
*Photos by Alan Wight at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
White-faced Meadowhawk
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair
photo female
photo immature female
photo immature female
scans male
scan male top
scan male side
scan male top
scan male side
wingspan 52 - 56 mm
male: abdomen red with black side triangles;
triangles usually linked into a line with triangularly-jagged top;
thorax all red (some juveniles show faint white stripes on sides, NEVER on top);
whitish face;
immatures can be a golden color where matures are red
female: face greenish white;
use appendages for help in identification
behavior: perches - scan the sky for bugs, fly to grab one, return to perch again;
can lay their eggs over dry ground in the fall
habitat: marshes/lakes/ponds/streams/rivers;
also wet meadows; gravel pits
CA flight period: May - October
CA Dragons&Damsels p.135, 142-143; pl.29
CA&SW Dragonflies p.21
Dragonflies of Washington p. 29
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 201; pl. 36
Dragonflies N.A. p. 797, 801-807, 813-815
Stokes Guide p. 144-5
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos by John Sterling at his dragonfly photography website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose at his homepage
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Odonata Photo Album
*Photos by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts
*Photo by Paul D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata
*Photos by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
Band-winged Meadowhawk
aka Western Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentale and Sympetrum californium
[Our western version of this species is no longer recognized as a separate species
and was 'lumped' with Band-winged Meadowhawk by the DSA in 2007; see Argia Vol. 19, #3]
photo male
photos male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo immature male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female (in hand) with eggs
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan male side
scan male top
scan male
scan male
scans immature male
scan unusual female
wingspan 46 - 57 mm
male: eyes, face and thorax brownish, not red;
inner wings rusty yellow-brown out to nodus;
red upper body with black markings on lower sides of abdomen;
black spots top of segments 9 & 10;
more black markings low on the thorax than other Meadowhawks, looking somewhat like 'black flames';
use appendages for help in identification
female: usually yellowish where male is red; black dots end of abd.
can be almost as red as male;
can have much less color in the wings, but usually the same as male
similar species: Flame Skimmer is more brightly colored, much larger and has red eyes
habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks
CA flight period: April - early November
distribution: more common in higher elevations;
not found in southern California
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 137-138; pl. 28
CA&SW Dragonflies p.15
Dragonflies of Washington p. 29
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 197; see S. semicinctum pl. 36
Dragonflies N.A. p. 799-801, 804-805, 816, 819
Dragonflies N.A. p. 604, 797-807, 810
Stokes Guide p. 149
*Photos by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies Website
*Photos by John Sterling at his CA Dragonflies Website
*Photos by Tom Murray at Dragonfly Photos Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Striped Meadowhawk
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo young male
photo immature
photo young male
photo pair in wheel
photo female
photo female
photos females
photo female
photo female
scans male
scans young male
scan very mature male
scan female
scans female
wingspan 52 - 58 mm
male: abdomen top red when mature (golden rust when immature), usually with black marks low on the sides;
pale face; brownish eyes and thorax; thorax - 2 pale stripes on each side & on top;
clear wings with red, velvet-like spot where each wing attaches on top of thorax; bi-colored stigma
female: dull-golden yellow wherever male would be red
similar species: Western Meadowhawk has color on wings almost to nodus;
Variegated Meadowhawk has white marks on lower abdomen sides;
Saffron-winged has golden stigma;
White-faced Meadowhawk lacks stripes on thorax top;
use appendages for help in identification
habitat: ponds and lakes
CA flight period: April - November; more common in the fall
distribution: quite common statewide
behavior: usually develops in semi-permanent ponds; sometimes oviposit over dry areas near water
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 142-143; pl. 31
CA&SW Dragonflies p.22
Dragonflies of Washington p. 29
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 193; pl. 35
Dragonflies N.A. p. 797, 801, 804-807, 813, 818
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo by John Sterling at his dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*2 motion images
at Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Sympetrum vicinum
Autumn Meadowhawk [renamed fall 2004] aka Yellow-legged Meadowhawk
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo teneral female
photo pair in cop
scan male top
scan male side
scan teneral male side
scan teneral male top
scan teneral female side
scan teneral female side
scan teneral female top
wingspan 42 - 46 mm
male: all red when mature;
immatures yellow;
no thoracic stripes;
no black on top of abdomen;
slender, thin yellow legs;
clear wings have some yellow at base;
front wing edge same color as remainder;
female: same as immature male;
has `scoop' on rear underside
similar species: compare to other red Meadowhawks, but they have dark legs
behavior: often our last dragonfly to emerge in the fall;
female deposits eggs along the banks in moss or vegetation very close to, or in, the water. The eggs will not hatch until submerged in water
habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams
CA flight period: September - October;
latest flight period of any skimmer in North America
distribution: ponds, slow streams and lakes with dense emergent vegetation;
adults rest on bushes, tall herbs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 135, 140; pl. 28
CA&SW Dragonflies p.18
Dragonflies of Washington p. 28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 195; pl. 35
Dragonflies N.A. p. 775-797, 800, 804-807, 821
Stokes Guide p. 8, 146-7
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies of California website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo wings/info
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photos by Vincent Hickey
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Photos by Dave Westover
at Odonata Photos in Wisconsin
*Photo by Phil Myers
at THE MICHIGAN Photo Archive
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
The Saddlebags
male: dark area on wings close to body
nymph: develop in short periods of time; thrive in temporary bodies of water
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 173-174
*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 217-text
Tramea calverti
Striped Saddlebags
New species added to CA records 10-2006! species #110
size: medium length 45 - 49 mm, wingspan 80 - 86 mm
male: similar to Red Saddlebags but with 2 pale stripes on side of thorax; mostly red or rusty red including eyes; segments 8-10 become dark; hind wings have narrow dark saddle mark; powerful flier
female: tawny; 2 broad side stripes on thorax; segments 8-10 of abdomen black
habitat: warm shallow ponds and other quiet waters, including brackish and temporary
flight period: October - November
distribution: Imperial County
CA&SW Dragonflies p.28
*Photo by Doug Aguillard at his dragonfly photo website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his California Odes website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Potter in Arizona
*Photo by Steve Potter in Arizona
*Photos by Pierre Deviche in Arizona
Tramea lacerata
Black Saddlebags
aka Black-mantled Glider
photo male
photos
male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photos female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo teneral female
scans southern male
scan southern male
scan southern male
scans northern male
scan male
scan male
scans female
wingspan 95 - 102 mm
male: body black with 1 - 2 diffuse yellow spot(s) abdomen top;
black head and thorax;
hind wings have a broad black saddle mark;
folded long legs give thorax bulky look in flight
female: similar but having more yellow spots on top of abdomen
similar species: compare to Widow Skimmer
habitat: ponds, lakes, creeks, and slow areas of rivers
larval habitat is temporary or warm shallow ponds
behavior: powerful fliers; usually perch horizontally; a migratory species;
when ovipositing, the male releases the female from a few inches above the water, she drops down to lay one egg, and then raises to be taken a few feet away where the
male again releases her to lay another egg, repeatedlyv
CA flight period: March - November
distribution: common statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 174-175; pl. 39
CA&SW Dragonflies p.29
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 217; pl. 40
Audubon Guide: Jagged-edged Saddlebag plate 363
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91, 833-835, 839
Stokes Guide p. 112
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by James Durbin at Iowa Odonates
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Photos by Allen Chartier at U. of Michigan Odonata Photo Archive
Red Saddlebags
aka Red-mantled Saddlebags
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
in flight
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male `01
scans male
scan female
wingspan 80 - 90 mm
male: mostly red or rusty red including eyes and top of head;
thorax tawny;
black spots top of segments 8 - 10;
hind wings have broad red saddle mark;
female: less red, more tawny on body; black spots near end of abd.
habitat: larval habitat is temporary or warm shallow ponds
behavior: powerful flier; frequently perch with abdomen lowered;
possibly migratory
CA flight period: March - October
distribution: southern species
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 175-176; pl.39
CA&SW Dragonflies p.28
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 219; pl. 40 picture
Audubon Guide: Red Saddlebag plate 362
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91, 833-836, 840
Stokes Guide p. 113
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Co.
*Photos by John Sterling at his CA Dragonflies site
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies of Texas
*Photos by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photos & scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos at Some New Jersey Odonate Photos
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images
