Halloween Pennant dragonfly (female)

Celithemis eponina

Description:

A Halloween Pennant dragonfly spotted at Meadowood Recreation Area. This individual is a female, as indicated by its terminal appendages. The red color of its pterostigmata (stigma) is somewhat unusual. According to Richard Orr, renowned expert on mid-Atlantic odonates, "All mature males and some mature females have red stigma." The key characteristics for most females are as follows: "Abdomen black with pale yellow base and yellow stripe extending to S7. Wings as male, most veins and stigma yellow." Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 9759-9760). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

Habitat:

Specimen spotted in a field located between the Pollinator Garden and Enchanted Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Related Resource: Meadowood Recreation Area Trail Map (PDF) http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/b...