Back to album

Amber of the Moment

Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis Tenera) - Male

One of my favorites!!

 

"At less than 1 inch in length, the Eastern Amberwing is one of the the smallest dragonflies. It is quite common and easy to spot, as the males are distinctively amber-colored. The females, seen much less often, have dark spots on their wings.

 

Amberwings have the most complex courtship of all North American dragonflies, with the male guarding a specific egg-laying site and leading the female to it for her approval.

 

Because of their tiny size, these insects are easier prey than most dragonflies, but they do have a trick or two. Amberwings are excellent wasp mimics, both in their appearance and behavior. They frequently fly close to the water, with the erratic flight of a wasp seeking prey, and also perch in a stance that is easily mistaken for a large wasp."

270 views
1 fave
27 comments
Uploaded on July 7, 2009
Taken on July 4, 2009