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Project Noah Nature School
K-12 science teacher, retired. Interests include geocaching, natural science, photography, sundials, walking, and weather (to name a few).
Fairfax County, Virginia USA
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I think this individual is a female dragonfly, Daniela. I can't see its terminal appendages, although I see what I think is an ovipositor (below the tip of its abdomen, shown best in Photo 5 of 5).
You're right, Ingrid -- this individual is a female, as indicated by its terminal appendages. Immature males have similar coloration before they develop white pruinescence on their abdomen and thorax, and white spots on their wings. http://bugguide.net/node/view/808668/bgi...
Another mature female.
Good call, Maria! This is a mature female Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly, as indicated by its terminal appendages, muted coloration, and tattered wings. Flanges beneath the female's eighth abdominal segment are used to scoop and hold a few drops of water; the dragonfly skims the water repeatedly, picking up drops of water that are used to flick fertilized eggs toward the shore. The process typically lasts a few seconds to a few minutes.
This individual is an immature male, as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages. As a mature male, its thorax and abdomen will be covered completely by blue pruinescence.
This individual is an immature male as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages. It is just starting to develop the blue pruinescence that will cover its abdomen completely when it is mature.
A beauty, Luis! Almost certainly a member of the Darner family of dragonflies. I suggest you check the species list for your location in Mexico (see PN group on FB) and cross-check the names of the darners on that list with photos on the Web site you shared with me when we teamed up to ID a Spreadwing damselfly. If you like, I'll offer a second opinion.
This individual is definitely female, as indicated by its terminal appendages. Notice also that its abdomen is flared near the end -- the flanges are used for scooping water during oviposition. I'd say this is probably a female Slaty Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula incesta), based upon its reddish-brown face. Compare your specimen with one of several similar specimens in my collection: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/127...
This individual is a female, as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages.
This individual is an immature male, as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages.
