Dash-9s
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Blue Dashers are one of the most abundant dragonflies in the U.S. and can be found near slow moving water sources, marshes and ponds. Adults have four wings with two noticeable dark streaks in them. Adult males have a chalky, blue color from head to abdomen that ends with a black tip. Their heads contain their large eyes which take on a metallic sheen in certain lighting. The female coloring differs from the male. Her abdomen is black with yellow stripes along the sides and top. Her wings do not contain the aforementioned streaks and their abdomens are stubbier. The thorax has yellowish-green striping not seen on adult males. Juvenile Blue Dashers are not blue yet. They have green and yellow stripes on the thorax and yellow dashes along the side of the abdomen, much like adult females.
Males are often seen around water's edge, protecting their territory from other males. They will flash their blue abdomens as a warning to each other. Females usually perch on vegetation and only approach the water when they are ready to mate. Both genders stick their abdomens upright in the air when perched, as if on alert, and they snap their wings closed after settling down. Like other dragonflies, the ecologically beneficial Blue Dasher contributes to pest control by consuming hundreds of smaller insects each day.
Higher classification: Pachydiplax
Scientific name: Pachydiplax longipennis
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Pachydiplax
Suborder: Epiprocta
Order: Odonata
Biological rank: Species
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Dorsal view
I like to get both dorsal and ventral views if I can. I posted both views of this one.
Wagner Natural Area. Parkland County, Alberta.
A White Squirrel decides to take his dinner (walnut) up to the safety of a tree. This one has a dirty nose from rooting around on the ground to find this walnut.
During the Summer especially when the sprinkler system is on Dragonflies for some reason love these white Echinacea when wet, you can actually see them move their head to the direction of the water,
Dragonflies are, like most things, predator and prey. They are predators in their nymph stage, eating what they can capture in the water, and primarily insects as adults. Most of their life is spent in various nymph stages, lasting from months to years depending on the species. As the dragonflies that we see flying around, their life is short, up to five weeks for most species although I read that some species may live as adults for a few months and others for only a few days. I found this interesting from Wikipedia: 'There is also conflict between the males and females. Females may sometimes be harassed by males to the extent that it affects their normal activities including foraging and in some dimorphic species females have evolved multiple forms with some forms appearing deceptively like males. In some species females have evolved behavioral responses such as feigning death to escape the attention of males.' Males, can't live with them, can't live without them....
This one I believe is a Blue Dasher. (Pachydiplax longipennis)
I'm behind - it's been a busy week! A bear, 2 storms, landscaping & yard clean-up. I'll be checking by ... hope everyone is good!
btw this female Blue dasher was a tiny thing - maybe an inch long
The Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is common and widely distributed in the United States.
Mature males develop a bluish-white pruinescence on the back of the abdomen and, in western individuals, on the thorax. They display this pruinescence to other males as a threat while defending territories at the edge of the water.
Although the species name longipennis means "long wings", the wings are not substantially longer than those of related species. Females do, however, have a short abdomen that makes the wings appear longer in comparison.
Los Angeles. California.
Male Blue Dasher sitting on some grass in the front yard, cropped a bit. Another in the Summer 2019 breakout year for being able to get a decent shot of a dragonfly! I have seen a few other varieties in the yard that I'll have to work on for my yard series.
Part of the "My Yard, Summer of 2019" series.Part of the "My Yard, Summer of 2019" series.
Although the species name longipennis means "long wings", their wings are not substantially longer than those of related species. Females do, however, have a short abdomen that makes the wings appear longer in comparison. The blue dasher grows up to 25–43 millimeters (1.0–1.7 in) long. The males are easy to recognize with their vibrant blue color, yellow-striped thorax, and metallic green eyes.
The Blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is the only species in the genus Pachydiplax. It is very common and widely distributed through North America and into the Bahamas.
Although the species name longipennis means "long wings", their wings are not substantially longer than those of related species. Females do, however, have a short abdomen that makes the wings appear longer in comparison. The blue dasher grows up to 1-1.5 inches long.
The males are easy to recognize with their vibrant blue color, yellow-striped thorax, and metallic green eyes. Females are somewhat less colorful than the male, an example of sexual dimorphism. While they have a matching yellow-striped thorax, their abdomen has a distinct brown and yellow striping that sets them apart from the male, along with contrasting red eyes. Both sexes develop a frosted color with age.
Eastern bluebirds must be migrating through as there were around 10 or so chasing each other around these dead tree snags.
Bartel Grassland
CSX R191 climbs out of Charm City at Hollins Ferry Road with a clean B36-7 back in 1995.
Four motors on intermodal trains were the norm in the 1990's; it's now almost exclusively six axle GEs on everything.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis, reflecting the morning sun at Seabourne Creek Nature Park, Rosenberg TX. Surprised he escaped the attack that broke his wing.
10 Aug 2021; 11:00 CDT, Velvia SOOC
Don´t you like that great green color? It is like the renaissance of life, always struggling against time and weather...
#CN106 passes through Brockville with another Dash 8 cowl leader sporting its classic zebra stripes. Trailing is IC Blue Devil 2462. Together, they’re working to bring their train to Montreal without any delays.
I was lucky to pick up a couple of new species of dragonfly for my Mill Pond fauna photo album this weekend. I watched this blue dasher take a run at every small object flying by. Sometimes insects, sometimes bits of fuzz from a cottonwood tree. He got quite used to me hanging around his favorite perch. Beautiful little creatures and amazing predators.
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Charleston, South Carolina
September 10, 2016
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