ArielSD
Beaverpond Baskettail - Tetragoneuria canis - ♂
Only my first or second time seeing one of these!!!
Beaverpond Baskettail (Tetragoneuria canis)
The "baskettails" are a subgroup of emeralds named for the ball or "basket" of eggs the females carry on their abdomens. Each has a dark abdomen with orange side-spots and thus their identification rests almost entirely on shape of the abdominal appendages. In Beaverpond Baskettail, the male's upper claspers are bent downward at the end with an upward spur and the female's appendages are stout and close together.
The emeralds are among the most sought-after dragonflies because many are secretive, uncommon, and/or associated with "wild" northern habitats. Most are medium-sized (~2 inches), have bright green eyes (hence the group name), and are dark brown or black overall. Identifying emeralds usually relies heavily on (1) shape of the abdominal appendages (claspers in males, spout-like ovipositors in females), (2) shape of the thoracic side stripes, and (3) presence/absence of pale top spots on the abdomen. Emeralds can be found across a wide variety of water-based habitats and, with some exceptions, most are active in June-July.
Beaverpond Baskettail - Tetragoneuria canis - ♂
Only my first or second time seeing one of these!!!
Beaverpond Baskettail (Tetragoneuria canis)
The "baskettails" are a subgroup of emeralds named for the ball or "basket" of eggs the females carry on their abdomens. Each has a dark abdomen with orange side-spots and thus their identification rests almost entirely on shape of the abdominal appendages. In Beaverpond Baskettail, the male's upper claspers are bent downward at the end with an upward spur and the female's appendages are stout and close together.
The emeralds are among the most sought-after dragonflies because many are secretive, uncommon, and/or associated with "wild" northern habitats. Most are medium-sized (~2 inches), have bright green eyes (hence the group name), and are dark brown or black overall. Identifying emeralds usually relies heavily on (1) shape of the abdominal appendages (claspers in males, spout-like ovipositors in females), (2) shape of the thoracic side stripes, and (3) presence/absence of pale top spots on the abdomen. Emeralds can be found across a wide variety of water-based habitats and, with some exceptions, most are active in June-July.