The Backstory: A Southern Fortnight
For the first two weeks during May 2015, Southern Spreadwing damselflies (Lestes australis) were observed at a vernal pool and nearby drainage ditch in the forest at Huntley Meadows Park. I spotted approximately six males and several females during the fortnight. Their sudden disappearance seemed to coincide with a population explosion of Eastern Pondhawk dragonflies (Erythemis simplicicollis) in mid-May. Eastern Pondhawks, especially females, are voracious predators with a penchant for preying upon damselflies.
07 MAY 2015 | Huntley Meadows Park | Southern Spreadwing (male)
A Southern Spreadwing damselfly (Lestes australis) was spotted perching on vegetation in a vernal pool at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is a male, as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages.
- Related Resources:
- Another new species of spreadwing damselfly…
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 1 – Year-long mystery solved!
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 2 – Damselfly terminal appendages (male)
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 3 – Southern Spreadwing damselfly (male)
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 4 – Southern Spreadwing damselfly (female)
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 5 – Southern Spreadwing damselflies (mating pairs, in tandem)
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 6 – Damselfly reproductive anatomy
- A Southern Fortnight, Part 7 – “Arty”
Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, Family Lestidae (Spreadwings), Huntley Meadows Park, Lestes australis, male, predator, prey, Southern Spreadwing damselfly, terminal appendages, vernal pool, wildlife photography
May 13, 2015 at 5:59 am |
I love the composition and colors of this image, with the stalks of varying shades of green that fade into the darkness. The damselfly’s eyes stand out like turquoise gemstones. Wonderful portrait of this male damselfly (and it sure sounds funny to use the word combination “male damselfly”).