Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly (female with eye injury)

Sympetrum ambiguum

Description:

A female Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly spotted at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is an andromorph. Photo 1 (of 2) was annotated in order to highlight a gash in the left eye of the female dragonfly (the closer eye, relative to the photo). It’s possible she sustained the eye injury by mating with a male. "Female dragonflies that have mated often have marks on their eyes where the male epiproct has scratched or even punctured the eyes." Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Location 392). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9538.h...