dragonfly - Widow Skimmer

The widow skimmer Libellula luctuosa), part of the group 'king skimmer' dragonflies. It has large bulky body (compared to other species odonata) with large heads.  This is a juvenile, with yellow with brown stripes.; when adult it will have a steely blue body.  Wings are transparent, but marked with prominent black basal bands.  Widow Skimmers are found commonly in muddy substrates, or still bodies of waters such as ponds. They prey on other smaller insects like mosquitoes. 

widow skimmer

This dragonfly male 'Widow Skimmer' Libellula luctuosa shows off his handsome transparent wings with black and white structural coloration -- the production of color by microscopically structured surfaces fine enough to interfere with visible light.

The grass seedhead on the left is close to the camera and in front of the wing. But the rush stem behind the wing is showing clearly through the transparent wing while the skimmer rests, clasping that stem.

He is probably looking for prey -- other insects such as mosquitoes. To catch prey he will use his legs, and bring prey into his mouth with fangs.

dragonflies

Two large darner dragonflies hovered on pondweed growing in the water. Each dragonfly is over 3 inches long, and more brilliant blue and green colors than the vegetation nearby.  They seemed to be connected (with the male grabbing the female by the head with his rear abdomen appendages) which suggests some stage of mating.

green frogs on rocks

Usually, the frogs who live here sit on shore hiding among grasses looking for prey insects or invertebrates.

But when a rock is available, Green Frogs Rana clamitans prefer to sit in the sun and wait for a meal to present itself.  

12 spotted skimmer

The pond area is home to several 

kinds of  dragonflies. 

The females lay their eggs on a plant in the water,

or just drop them into the water.

The eggs hatch after about a week,

when the creatures are called 'nymphs'.

Dragonfly nymphs live in the water while they grow. The length of this portion of the 

dragonfly life cycle is variable.

If the nymphs are not grown enough at 

beginning of winter they will remain

 in the water until spring, often beneath ice.

They feed actively and grow all winter 

to emerge as adults in spring. 

This is a dragonfly called 12-Spotted Skimmer, perched on a reed top in early August.

pennant

Walking along the shore near the pond on an overcast hot day, I noticed a dragonfly perched on a stem of Horsetail.

This is a Halloween Pennant Celithemis eponina dragonfly.  They usually perch horizontally like this, waving in the breeze pennant-style, at the top of vegetation.

At 1-1/2 inches long, this dragonfly would be a juicy meal for a predator.

dragonflies on branch

We love the branch over the pond, since it is a platform for all flying creatures to settle on for a short time.  Usually we get a close look at birds pausing there.  Now, in mid-summer, the dragonflies and damselflies use it too. 

12-Spotted Skimmer

Eastern Pondhawk or Blue Dasher

whitetail and bluet

The pond is a magnet for dragonflies and damselflies.  Both are in the Odonata family. Above is a damselfly hunting for a food item in the grasses surrounding the pond.  It is less than 1.5 inches long.

Their species lay eggs in the water or on aquatic plants, then the nymphs or larvae hatch and live in the water.  The young go through several stages until adulthood, feeding on smaller creatures in the pond.

This Common Whitetail dragonfly Plathemis lydia was resting on the big rock.  It is about 2 inches long.

dragonfly

This lovely dragonfly landed on the deck rail today.  I am educating myself about pond critters, and just learning about Odonata, so best guess is Ruby Meadowhawk, Sympetrum rubicundulum.