The following mating pair of Common Green Darner dragonflies (Anax junius) was spotted at a vernal pool in the forest at Huntley Meadows Park (HMP). The pair is “in wheel“: the male is on top; the female is on the bottom.
28 APR 2015 | HMP | Common Green Darner (mating pair, in wheel)
This is the first mating pair of Common Green Darners I have photographed in wheel. Turns out I’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places.
Copulating pairs fly away from water. Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Location 4775). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
After copulation, Common Green Darners usually oviposit in tandem on open water.
28 APR 2015 | HMP | Common Green Darner (mating pair, in wheel)
Some species of dragonflies hook-up briefly, with copulation lasting only a few seconds. In contrast, this mating pair was in wheel for about 30 minutes. I followed the couple to five different resting places; Part 2 of this mini-series will feature photos from another location.
28 APR 2015 | HMP | Common Green Darner (mating pair, in wheel)
Common Green Darner is one of at least five major species of dragonflies known to be migratory in North America. See interactive three-dimensional (3-D) virtual imagery of the five migratory dragonflies, including Common Green Darner, provided by the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership.
Related Resources: Digital Dragonflies, presenting high-resolution digital scans of living dragonflies.
- Genus Anax | Anax junius | Common Green Darner | female | top view
- Genus Anax | Anax junius | Common Green Darner | female | side view
- Genus Anax | Anax junius | Common Green Darner | male | top view
- Genus Anax | Anax junius | Common Green Darner | female | side view
Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: adult female, adult male, Anax junius, Common Green Darner dragonfly, Darner Family, Huntley Meadows Park, in tandem, in wheel, mating pair, vernal pool, wildlife photography
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August 21, 2015 at 4:06 am |
[…] mating pair of Common Green Darners (Anax junius) was spotted at a bioswale near the head-end of the Hike-Bike […]