The following Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis) was spotted toward the end of a long photowalk at Huntley Meadows Park on 17 September 2014. This individual is a female, as indicated by its green coloration and white terminal appendages.
Like many species of dragonflies in the Skimmer family, the Eastern Pondhawk usually perches on four of six legs, with the two front legs curled around its head. I noticed the pondhawk’s front legs moving in front of its face and guessed correctly the dragonfly was eating some type of prey.
Voracious predator, especially females, eating odonates of all kinds their own size and smaller, … Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 10223-10224). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
Dragonflies use their front legs like a “basket” to catch prey in mid-air. Look closely at the full-size version of the following photo, showing the female eating a winged insect cradled in her front legs, possibly either a bumble bee or carpenter bee.
Related Resources:
- index of all photoblog posts tagged with “Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly“
- Eastern Pondhawk dragonflies – a photo-illustrated guide to the identification of male- and female terminal appendages
- Dragonflies: The Flying Aces of the Insect World – astounding high-speed video that reveals how dragonflies hunt prey
Copyright © 2014 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, female, Huntley Meadows Park, predator, prey, Skimmer Family, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
Leave a Reply