Dominican Damselflies Mating: Rambur’s Forktail

bugman

May 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 am

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bug love

mating damselflies
Hello Bugman!
I have a photo of what I believe are damselflies mating. The picture was taken in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I take it from what I’ve read that the top damselfly is the male. I also saw quite a few large, red coloured dragonflies while vacationing in the DR, but was unable to get any photos of them. Any chance of identifying this couple?
Thanks!
Yvonne,
Barrie, Ontario

Sorry Yvonne,
We don’t believe there is a definitive field guide to the Damselflies of the Dominican Republic, and if there was, we would still have difficulty. Damselfly species identification is not our strongest talent. We do love your photo, and you are correct in the sexes. A common mating position for Damselflies involves the male grasping the female by the neck with his anal claspers.

Update: Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Good morning,
These are Rambur’s Forktail (Ishnura ramburii), with, on the male, the overall green thorax, black toped abdomen wih orange under and the blue spots at the end of the abdomen. Also the male have different colored stigmas (the little dark cells) on the forewings.
Renaud, Switzerland

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Comments 1

RenaudB wrote:
Good morning,

These are Rambur’s Forktail (Ishnura ramburii), with, on the male, the overall green thorax, black toped abdomen wih orange under and the blue spots at the end of the abdomen. Also the male have different colored stigmas (the little dark cells) on the forewings.

Renaud, Switzerland
Posted 21 Feb 2009 at 5:54 am ¶