Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly terminal appendages

Several Needham’s Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula needhami) were spotted at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (OBNWR), Prince William County, Virginia USA.

Mature male

The first individual is a mature male, as indicated by his red coloration and terminal appendages.

18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Needham’s Skimmer (mature male)

(See a full-size version of the original photo, without annotation.)

Male dragonflies have three terminal appendages, collectively called “claspers,” that are used to grab and hold female dragonflies during mating: an upper pair of cerci (“superior appendages”) and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”).

Female

The next individual is a female, as indicated by her mostly yellow coloration and terminal appendages. I love a good head-tilt!

18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Needham’s Skimmer (female)

(See a full-size version of the original photo, without annotation.)

Female dragonflies have a pair of cerci (superior appendages) that have little or no function.

Immature male

The last individual is an immature male, as indicated by his mostly yellow coloration and terminal appendages. Immature males and females are nearly identical in appearance except for their terminal appendages.

18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Needham’s Skimmer (immature male)

Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Tags: cerci, claspers, epiproct, female, head-tilt, immature male, Libellula needhami, mature male, Needham's Skimmer dragonfly, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Skimmer Family, terminal appendages, wildlife photography