A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Erythemis simplicicollis
Spotted on Jun 18, 2011
Submitted on Mar 13, 2013
2 Comments
Thank you Geodialist! I had no idea.
This individual is a young male turning blue, as indicated by its blue and green coloration and the terminal appendages at the end of its abdomen. Blue pruinescence will cover the dragonfly's body completely when it is mature. "Immature [male] colored as female, becomes pruinose first on abdomen and then thorax. Color change begins at about a week of age and takes about 2–3 weeks, fastest at higher temperatures." Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 10207-10208). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.