Blue Dasher

Description:

The males are easily recognized due to the yellow-striped thorax, metallic-green eyes, mostly white face, and pale blue abdomen, often with a dark tip. Females and immatures also have a yellow-striped thorax, but the abdomen has a longitudinal yellow and brown/black pattern. The eyes are reddish brown above and blue-grey below. Females have a short, blunt abdomen, while the abdomen of juveniles is longer and thinner and tapered at the posterior end. Older females may resemble worn males as their abdomen turns blue-grey and the eyes acquire a greenish tint. Although the species name longipennis means "long wings", the wings are not particularly long. Females do, however, have a short abdomen that makes the wings look longer in comparison.

Habitat:

Edge of a large pond near a deciduous forest. Cleveland Metroparks System, North Chagrin Reservation, Mayfield, Ohio Cuyahoga County USA.