A Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula vibrans) spotted along “Heron Trail” at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is an immature male, as indicated by the pale blue pruinescence that does not cover its body completely.
Notice the immature male Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly resembles the female of the same species.
Males often go through an immature stage in which they are patterned much like females but then change dramatically at maturity by adding a layer of pruinosity (a powdery bloom much like the one we see on plums) to part or all of their thorax and abdomen. Most pruinosity is whitish to pale blue. Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 696-698). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
Copyright © 2012 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com
Tags: Aperture, digital photography, dragonflies, Huntley Meadows Park, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, pruinescence
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