After a seemingly endless off-season, I’m pleased to report odonate hunting season has begun in Northern Virginia!
05 APR 2017 | ABWR | Common Whitetail (teneral female)
A Common Whitetail dragonfly (Plathemis lydia) was spotted during a photowalk along Beaver Pond Loop Trail at Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge (ABWR), Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a teneral female, as indicated by her terminal appendages and the tenuous appearance of her wings.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Common Whitetail dragonfly, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, Plathemis lydia, teneral
April 6, 2017 at 5:25 am |
Congratulations, Walter, and best wishes for a successful dragonfly season. I am still looking for my first one and hope to spot some dragonflies this coming weekend.
April 6, 2017 at 8:46 am |
Thanks, Mike! I visited three parks on 05 April 2017 and observed odonates at each park. Although I didn’t see many individuals, I saw several species of damselflies and dragonflies including one Fragile Forktail, two Southern Spreadwings (I think), an unknown species from the Family Coenagrionidae (Pond Damsels), and several Common Green Darners. I think it’s likely you’ll see some during your next photowalk.