Dot-tailed Whiteface (immature male) - Leucorrhinia intacta
Dragonflies have always been a challenge for me to properly identify, especially when I've never seen a particular species before. That has been the case with this species. I now am finding that this is actually not a species I'd never seen before. I think I've a couple of encounters but of very freshly hatched, immature adults.
This specimen is approaching full maturity but still bearing a very close resemblance to a female. Probably within another day, this critter will be entirely black with the exception of the single yellow dot on the abdomen that gives them their name.
In trying to research this species, I was surprised at how little is documented on it. Sure, there's plenty of census data but precious little that I could find explaining their preferred habit, food, or life cycle. The real question I would like to have answered is why have they been virtually nonexistent in the last few seasons and now I can't walk through the dragonfly field without encountering 40 or 50 of 'em?
Dot-tailed Whiteface (immature male) - Leucorrhinia intacta
Dragonflies have always been a challenge for me to properly identify, especially when I've never seen a particular species before. That has been the case with this species. I now am finding that this is actually not a species I'd never seen before. I think I've a couple of encounters but of very freshly hatched, immature adults.
This specimen is approaching full maturity but still bearing a very close resemblance to a female. Probably within another day, this critter will be entirely black with the exception of the single yellow dot on the abdomen that gives them their name.
In trying to research this species, I was surprised at how little is documented on it. Sure, there's plenty of census data but precious little that I could find explaining their preferred habit, food, or life cycle. The real question I would like to have answered is why have they been virtually nonexistent in the last few seasons and now I can't walk through the dragonfly field without encountering 40 or 50 of 'em?