Reconnecting with old friends

Although the coloration of Banded Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis fasciata) is subtler than other members of the Genus Celithemis (Pennants), it is attractive nonetheless and one of a few species of odonates that I look forward to seeing every year.

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Banded Pennant (male)

Two male Banded Pennants were spotted on 26 June 2016 at Mulligan Pond, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR). One of the two males was unusually cooperative; he allowed me to move close enough to shoot some frame-filling photos such as the one shown above.

Banded Pennant terminal appendages

Male

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”).

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Banded Pennant (male)

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

Female

The following female Banded Pennant was spotted on 21 June 2016 at Hidden Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area (MRA).

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

21 JUN 2016 | MRA | Banded Pennant (female)

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

Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

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Tags: Banded Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis fasciata, cerci, claspers, epiproct, female, Hidden Pond, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, male, Meadowood Recreation Area, Mulligan Pond, Odonart, Skimmer Family, terminal appendages, wildlife photography