Gray Petaltail Dragonfly

Description:

This is the only eastern dragonfly species whose larvae may not be truly aquatic. They live buried in the mud of seeps, so the quality of the seep is very important. Indeed, dragonflies are often used as indicators of wetland health and water quality. Petaltails (both the western Black and our own eastern Gray) can be distinguished from most other dragonfly groups by their widely separated eyes. In most other groups, the eyes either meet at the top of the head or are only slightly separated. It is this arrangement of large eyes on top of the head which allow dragonflies a 360 degree view of their world. Up to 80% of their brains are dedicated to interpreting information from their eyes, but oddly enough, they don't see detail very well. Their primitive compound eyes, which may have up to 30,000 lenses, specialize in seeing movement. Very important when you are dining on the wing.

Habitat:

Forested habitats with permanent seepage wetlands; that is, wetlands in which the "wet" part is caused by water percolating through the soil, not from a single point source, like a spring.

Notes:

This spotting was in Harlan County, Kentucky. According to the USGS this species has not been reported in Harlan County. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr... This species is attracted to light colors and will frequently land on you if you are wearing them!