Rambur's Forktail - Ischnura ramburii
Probably eating a still smaller damselfly (maybe a Citrine).
The most widespread species of Ischnura in the New World. Most of the USA, plus Mexico, Antilles, south to Chile and Hawaii (where it was introduced in 1973). Larvae in most wetland habitats, but only in coastal plain in ne USA. Preferred habitat includes heavily vegetated ponds, lakes, marshes and slow reaches of streams exposed to sunlight including brackish waters.
Found spring to fall, all year in much of Florida.
A polymorphic species, males will have either a bright green thorax or a bluish thorax, females have three forms; orange, olive (which this one is), or are male-like in coloration. There is an apparent lack of color preference by males, but there are selective advantages and disadvantages of various color forms in populations.
Both sexes will remain close to the water and although males are not territorial, females are known to be highly predaceous and often cannibalistic. Males often do not release females from the wheel position for several hours, and sometimes as many as seven, to secure their genetic contribution.
Rambur's Forktail - Ischnura ramburii
Probably eating a still smaller damselfly (maybe a Citrine).
The most widespread species of Ischnura in the New World. Most of the USA, plus Mexico, Antilles, south to Chile and Hawaii (where it was introduced in 1973). Larvae in most wetland habitats, but only in coastal plain in ne USA. Preferred habitat includes heavily vegetated ponds, lakes, marshes and slow reaches of streams exposed to sunlight including brackish waters.
Found spring to fall, all year in much of Florida.
A polymorphic species, males will have either a bright green thorax or a bluish thorax, females have three forms; orange, olive (which this one is), or are male-like in coloration. There is an apparent lack of color preference by males, but there are selective advantages and disadvantages of various color forms in populations.
Both sexes will remain close to the water and although males are not territorial, females are known to be highly predaceous and often cannibalistic. Males often do not release females from the wheel position for several hours, and sometimes as many as seven, to secure their genetic contribution.