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Orthetrum coerulescens
Mating couple. O. coerulescens is a characteristic dragonfly because of the blue abdomen of the male, a bit dusty, while normally the thorax remains bluff with two pale stripes at the top. This species shows very well the pterostigma (spot on the anterior end of the wings) long and yellowish, that stands out in the hyaline wings (although in females, a yellowish tone can be seen in the leading edge of the wings). Females and young males have a brown or yellowish body with black longitudinal lines and black rings between the segments. It breeds mainly in peat bogs and flies from June to September. Its flight is quite skittish, with frequent hovering, and it lands often. It can fly quite a distance from water, despite its seemingly weak flight. When it perches, the wings are held forward.
Spotted at a deciduous forest close to a river. Reserva de la Biosfera del Río Eo
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/400 sec.; f/10; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired
Spotted on Aug 19, 2015
Submitted on Nov 4, 2015
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