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Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly - female - REK |
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This is an Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly, Perithemis tenera, the second smallest in the US. Measuring less than an inch long, its size and colorful wings are said to look like nothing else in the region. The abdomen is narrow at the base (connection to the thorax) and then widens out. Its appearance and movements mimic a wasp, felt to be a defensive advantage.
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Male Amberwing - Stan Gilliam CC |
Their mating and reproduction has been extensively studied in amazing detail considering how small and quick these dragonflies are. It is described here at Odonatacentral.
The male "patrols and defends these territories, as potential egg laying sites, where they regularly perch on emergent sticks or twigs. These small territories, less than 5 square m, are only accepted by the male if he is not disturbed and there is no competition from other males. Females appear and are courted by the male. He will fly out to her and lead her back to his prospective oviposition site, hovering with his abdomen turned up. Upon acceptance by the female, signaled by a slower wing beat, the pair perch on a twig and mate, taking 20-30 sec."
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Also see Odonatacentral.org.