July 26, 2020 - Dragonflies

Here are some dragonflies I photographed this summer at our lake home in northern Minnesota. This is an adult male Chalk-fronted Corporal. A male has a black abdomen like this one. The abdomen would be brown if this was a female.

DragonflyCorporalChalkfrontedLadonajuliaDunningLakeItascaCounty20200614

A juvenile Chalk-fronted Corporal has a tan abdomen with a black stripe down the middle. The following similarities between this dragonfly and the previous one help us see that they are the same species. They both have two white “corporal” shoulder stripes and they both have triangular dark patches on their hind wings, right next to the body.

DragonflyCorporalChalkfrontedLadonajuliajuvenileDunningLakeItascaCounty20200605

The Racket-tailed Emerald does have an enlarged abdomen which could, I suppose, remind you of a racket. The incomplete yellow ring around the middle of the insect is also a diagnostic feature.

DragonflyEmeraldRackettailedDorocordulialiberaDunningLakeItascaCounty20200615

When Calico Pennants emerge, they seem to be everywhere in our yard. This is a female or juvenile; an adult male would have red features where this one has yellow.

DragonflyPennantCalicoCelithemiselisaDunningLakeItascaCounty20200614

To my eyes, the Four-spotted Skimmer has eight black spots. Maybe whoever named it was only counting the four largest black spots; one near the end of each wing. The range of this species is described as circumpolar. That means it can be found across North America, Europe, and Asia.

DragonflySkimmerFourspottedlibellulaquadrimaculataourwindturbineDunningLakeItascaCounty20200606

The Belted Whiteface does have a white face which can just barely be seen in this photo. It also has a long, slender abdomen with a red spot at the base.

DragonflyWhitefaceBeltedLeucorrhiniaproximaDunningLakepondourdrivewayItascaCounty20200606

This photo of a pair of Belted Whitefaces shows how dragonflies mate. The male (on top) grasps the female behind her head while he transfers his sperm packet to her. How romantic!

DragonflyWhitefaceBeltedLeucorrhiniaproximamatingDunningLakepondourdrivewayItascaCounty20200606

The female Common Whitetail has a striking black pattern on her wings. Her brown abdomen has white spots along both sides. Those yellow spots on the back of the head give a menacing look to this insect.

DragonflyWhitetailCommonPlathemislydiaourwindturbineDunningLakeItascaCounty20200606