Blue Dasher

Your welcome! I still have some I just can't find but I'm still trying. I never new how hard it was to identify dragonflies! Great way for us to learn what's around us though.

Thanks Courtney...I think you're right. I found a picture that showed a tip of white when I zoomed in. It sure looks right so I'll give it the name unless someone disagrees.

I think it may be a male Blue Dasher. I didn't notice the yellow stripes on the thorax, thanks Gordon. Ceherzog, do you know if it had a white nose? Possibly in another picture? Check this site out, it has a picture of a dragonfly very similar to yours. http://greennature.com/gallery/libelluli...

I sent pictures to a friend who is an entomologist...I know I could not figure it out...will post when he replies.

Thank you all for your details and ideas.

Dragonflies can be really difficult to tell apart, in some instances. Some species are easy but others can only be told apart by using a hand lens and examining the cerci at the tip of the abdomen. The head on this dragonfly looks too big for a eastern pondhawk and the pondhawk doesn't have thorax and shoulder stripes like this one does. Mature great blue skimmers also lack thorax stripes and the immature males have blue eyes. I've had many discussions with fellow odonata enthusiasts over species identification and we sometimes don't agree even when we have them in hand...grin. I could be wrong and one of you could be right. I just don't know.

I can see that this will require some sorting out...thanks for all your suggestions.

I'm reasonably sure he's an Eastern Pondhawk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythemis_s...

Did a bit of research to narrow it down a bit. You might want to check out the dragonlets on starting on this page: http://bugguide.net/node/view/495/bgimag.... Good luck with your search!

I've been having trouble finding the names for dragonflies and damselflies. Hope that reference helps.

Not a green darner. The tail on this dragonfly is pruinose, which is a waxy bluish coating that develops as the male matures. The tail of an adult male green darner is a brilliant blue. I'm not familiar with Florida dragonflies, but you might want to use this key: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc....