2018 is the year I got serious about macro photography of odonate exuviae. I bought lots of new photography gear and spent hours learning to use it, and spent more time refining my workflow for creating focus-stacked composite images.
I am blessed to have several mentors who have patiently taught me a lot about identification of odonate exuviae, and many friends who have kindly collected and shared specimens with me. Sincere thanks to Sue and John Gregoire, Richard Orr, Michael Powell, Bob Perkins, Mike Boatwright, Andy Davidson, and Joe Johnston.
Dragonflies (Order Anisoptera)
Family Aeshnidae (Darners)

Boyeria vinosa exuvia (Fawn Darner)
- Test shots: Aeshna umbrosa exuvia (Shadow Darner)
- Test shots: Brachyton pratense exuvia (female) [Hairy Dragonfly]
Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)

Cordulegaster erronea exuvia (Tiger Spiketail)
Family Corduliidae (Emeralds)
- Epitheca princeps exuvia [another Prince Baskettail]
- Helocordulia uhleri exuvia [Uhler’s Sundragon]
- Test shots: Unknown odonate exuvia [Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)]
Family Gomphidae (Clubtails)
- Erpetogomphus designatus exuvia [Eastern Ringtail]
- Ophiogomphus aspersus exuvia [Brook Snaketail]
- Ophiogomphus incurvatus exuvia [Appalachian Snaketail]
- Ophiogomphus incurvatus head shots [Appalachian Snaketail]
- More composite images [Appalachian Snaketail]

Phanogomphus lividus exuvia [Ashy Clubtail]
- Stenogomphurus rogersi: Miraculous metamorphosis [Sable Clubtail] New!
- Stenogomphurus rogersi exuvia [Sable Clubtail] New!
- Test shots: Stylogomphus albistylus exuvia [Eastern Least Clubtail] New!
- More test shots: Stylogomphus albistylus exuvia [Eastern Least Clubtail] New!
- Test shots: Stylurus sp. exuvia [possible Laura’s Clubtail] New!
- Stylurus plagiatus exuvia [Russet-tipped Clubtail] New!
- Test shots: Stylurus plagiatus exuvia [Russet-tipped Clubtail] New!
- Stylurus scudderi exuvia [Zebra Clubtail] New!
Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)
- Calico Pennant exuvia composite image [Celithemis elisa]
- More Calico Pennant exuvia composite images [Celithemis elisa]
- Previews of coming attractions [Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)]
- Test shots: Erythemis simplicollis exuvia [Eastern Pondhawk]
- Test shots: Libellula luctuosa exuvia [Widow Skimmer]
- Test shots: Pachydiplax longipennis exuvia [Blue Dasher]
- Test shots: Pantala flavescens exuvia [Wandering Glider]
Family Macromiidae (Cruisers)
- Macromia alleghaniensis exuvia [Allegheny River Cruiser]
- Swift River Cruiser exuvia [Macromia illinoiensis]
Family Petaluridae (Petaltails)

Tachopteryx thoreyi exuvia [Gray Petaltail]
- Test shots: Tachopteryx thoreyi exuviae [Gray Petaltail]
Damselflies (Order Zygoptera)
Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)
- American Rubyspot damselfly exuvia
- Hetaerina americana exuvia [American Rubyspot]
Related Resources: Odonate Exuviae.
Next post: New Life List additions in 2018 (odonates).
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: studio photography
December 26, 2018 at 11:08 am |
[…] photography and videography. « More test shots: Stylogomphus albistylus exuvia New odonate exuviae in 2018 (by family) […]
December 26, 2018 at 4:06 pm |
Wow. That is an impressive list, Walter, and reflects a huge amount of work. You should be proud of all you have accomplished this year.
December 26, 2018 at 5:51 pm |
Thanks, Mike — I’m not too proud to admit I am proud! 🙂
December 26, 2018 at 6:06 pm |
Great stuff!
December 27, 2018 at 10:16 am |
Thanks, Anonymous! (BTW, I like to know who comments on my blog posts.)