Making new friends

Swift Setwing dragonfly (Dythemis velox) was discovered recently at Mulligan Pond, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR) — the first official record of Swift Setwing in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

This is the most widespread of the North American setwings and it is apparently continuing to expand its range. Source Credit: Swift Setwing, Odonata Central Field Guide, Dragonfly Society of the Americas.

The following photographs were taken two days later at the same location.

Male 1

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

Male 2

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (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 last individual is a female, as indicated by her terminal appendages. Female dragonflies have a pair of cerci (superior appendages) that have little or no function.

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (female)

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

Notice the female has two malformed wings.

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (female)

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

Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Tags: cerci, claspers, Dythemis velox, epiproct, female, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, male, malformed, Mulligan Pond, Skimmer Family, Swift Setwing dragonfly, terminal appendages, wildlife photography