Canibal – Image 4 of approx. 35
Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Hi!
Don’t know if you want – but here is a image of a Canibal Dragonfly. This was shortly after it bit the head off it’s meal. This is the 4th shot taken out of approx. 35 Hope you can use! Thank’s Again!!! and Have a Great Day!
Brent Hansen
Pinellas County Florida
Eastern Pondhawk eats Blue Dasher
Hi again Brent,
It seems that both the predator and prey are Green Darners. We wholeheartedly welcome any comments or corrections on this posting.
When I spotted the two on a Hibiscus – I thought they were mating.
Then – right in front of my eyes – I saw one bite the head off the
other. They flew to the fence at the side of my yard – and that was
where I got my best shots. It sat and ate almost all of the other
Dragonfly before flying away to finish it off.
Dragonflies that I have observed in my backyard are voracious
predators. I was trying to photograph a Green Leaf Hopper on my hand.
It flew away and a Dragonfly whizzed in and snatched it out of the
air. I have shots of that Dragonfly munching the Leaf Hopper.
At certain times of year here – they swarm the pool in our backyard.I
have images of Blues ,Reds ,Golds and Greens. Those were the only ones
that sat still long enough.
But – I sure would not want one mad at me – if you look closely at the
jaw – you will see “TWO” sets of chompers. There is a smaller set to
the top and a larger set to the bottom. If ants can inflict a welt
from their tiny jaws – then I think these guys can literally cut a
nice chunk out of your skin.I am now a little leary letting one rest
on my hand and fingers.
If you would like some other colored images of these Dragonflies – let
me know – I have a couple close up head shots that really show the
texture of the eyes and upper body.
Have a Great Day!
Brent
Correction:Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 12:05 AM
If I may add a correction, the upper one is a male of Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicollis), which is well known to pray on insects of its own size, as well as for cannibalism, but in this case it’s rather a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis).
I hope this helps.
Renaud, Switzerland
aquatic bug;gray to dk. brown;large eyes
Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 6:03 PM
After draining the pool, found these bugs in a variety of sizes. Fast swimmers;
don’t know what they eat but will eat each other if in a small container. Don’t bite humans. Shed their “skins” at periodic stages. Seem to do well in very cool H2O. Fall is starting early. Am in the very Southern tip of Indiana…across the Ohio River is Kentucky, & not far from Illinois.
Singin’
Southern tip of Indiana
Dragonfly Naiads
Hi Singin’,
These are Dragonfly Naiads, immature Dragonflies. Sorry, we can’t identify the exact species.
Hey — Thanks a million! I’d have never guessed “Dragonflies”. I’d thought it was something that blew in with the high winds from hurricane ”Ike”!! Now I won’t feel so bad when we clean out the rest of the pool. I was getting ready to put some pool water in a 10 gallon aquarium, catching the bugs & trying to keep them alive over winter time!! ( I must be a lunatic! ) Thanks again,
Singin’
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Posted 07 October 2008
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Dragonfly/skimmer?
Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Took these photos at Jamestown settlement this summer. Gorgeous dragonfly. Most dragonflies I see in Ohio don’t have this color. Wondering what this guy’s name is. Thanks for all the info and posts. I really enjoy visiting the website and learning new things about bugs.
CuriousinOhio
Jamestown, Virginia
Skimmer Dragonfly
Hi Curious,
We believe this is a Needham’s Skimmer, Libellula needhami, which can be found on BugGuide, but we wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it being the similar Golden Winged Skimmer, Libellula auripennis.
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Posted 07 October 2008
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Green darner dragonfly
I’ve identified this as a green darner, Anax junius, based on Peterson’s “eyes in contact for a considerable distance” and “taget-like mark on upper part of the face”. And of course the size, more than 3 inches long.I though you might like the photo for your files. I took this photo at Murphy’s Point Provincial Park in Ontario, halfway between Ottawa and Kingston. She was sunning herself on a tree in a clearing fairly early in the morning. Pat in Montreal Ontario, Murphy’s Point Provincial Park
Green Darner
Hi Pat,
Thanks for sending your perfectly lovely image of a Green Darner Dragonfly to our website.
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Posted 29 September 2008
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cant get rid of these bugs
These bugs keep infesting my fountain(pix # 2) the humming birds wont drink from here anymore. How do I make them go somewhere else? I have lizards and because of that I don’t use a bug man. Every time I go to ad water to my fountain these bugs are all over under the water. What are they? Do they bite or sting? How do I make them go away? Please help. Thanks in advance.
Tonya Stonehocker
Las Vegas Nevada
Dragonfly Naiad
Hi Tonya,
There is no reason to want to get rid of these predatory immature Dragonfly Naiads. They will eat mosquito larvae in your fountain. We cannot think of any reason the humming birds would be frightened off by the Naiads.
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Posted 24 September 2008
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(08/29/2008) Golden-Silk Spider Eating Large Dragonfly – Palm Beach County – Florida
Hello Purveyors of Bug Identifications,
First – thanks for providing such an educational website. I use it quite a bit while working for the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. We oversee the protection of thousands of acres of wildlands and one of my numerous jobs is to create trail guides/publications for these properties. This means I need to know what sorts of creatures roam the woodlands – and since I work in the warm, wet climate of South Florida, that means lots of bugs! I am sending you a picture of a female golden-silk spider enjoying a light repast of dragonfly. This photos was taken at the Delray Oaks Natural Area in Delray Beach, Florida. Note, I believe the small spider in the upper right corner is a male. He seems to be waiting his turn at the dinner table – probably smart considering the huge size discrepancy between the two. If he is not careful, he may be dessert! Keep up the great work!
Ann Mathews
Senior Environmental Analyst
Palm Beach County
Hi Ann,
Your letter came at the perfect time to be selected as the Bug of the Month for September as well as being cross referenced in the Food Chain and Bug Love. Golden Silk Spiders, Nephila clavipes, have pronounced sexual dimorphism, with the female sometime being 100 times the mass of the diminutive male. Golden Silk Spiders have extremely strong silk, and attempts have been made to use it for fabric, but this is far too expensive to be practical. Golden Silk Spiders are also called Banana Spiders and can be found in the southeastern US and south all the way to Argentina.
Anxious Comment
OK, this is just sad
I’m anxiously awaiting the September Bug of the Month…does that mean I’m addicted?
Misty Doy
Hi Misty,
We usually post the new Bug of the Month on the last day of the month even if we have selected it a few days earlier. It will be live shortly.
bandwing dragonlet-dragonfly species not on your site Hialeah Florida
Hello,
I took this photo in my yard yesterday (Aug. 19, 2008) the same time as the bee fly picture. I thought you already had a picture of this dragonfly on your site, but after I checked today, I didn’t see it. I googled for ‘Dragonfly species Florida’ and I’ve tentatively ID’ed it as a Band-Winged Dragonlet going by the one I found here- http://filebox.vt.edu/users/stcolli2/Dragonflies/Floridalist.htm (that photo isn’t as clear as mine, but I do think it’s the same species).
Marian Mendez
Female Bandwing Dragonlet
(08/20/2008) fem.banded dragonlet- Hialeah Fla.
I hadn’t intended to send another email today (Aug 20, 2008), but I snapped this dragonfly in pretty much the same place in my yard as the male Banded Dragonlet I sent you earlier today and I *think* it’s the female Banded Dragonlet. The coloring is lighter than some I’d seen, but possibly it’s a young one? The possibility of adding a pair to your site was irresistable. I love dragonflies. Considering the limitations of my camera, I was astounded that I got such a good closeup of her monkey-like face, so I’m sending 2 pics. Marian Mendez
Hi again Marian,
BugGuide has numerous photos of the Bandwing Dragonlet, Erythrodiplax umbrata, and we agree with your identification. Interestingly, though BugGuide lists it as neotropical and ranging to Southern Florida and Texas, they do have a report from Ohio.
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Posted 20 August 2008
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Great shots of Dragonfly
Hi,
I love your site!!! It is so interesting. I got some great shots of this Dragonfly, it stayed in this spot on my yucca plant for almost 3 hours & didn’t mind me getting in close for some shots. Do you know what type of Dragonfly this is? I live on Long Island in NY. I took the photos on Aug 5th 2008. Also do Dragonflys sting or bite us? Thanks for your help,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
We believe this is a Twelve Spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella, though BugGuide does not illustrate any individuals with “broken” wing spots on the lower wings. Dragonflies do not sting nor bite despite the many superstitions indicating that they do. They are sometimes called Devil’s Darning Needles to accompany the superstition that they will sew closed the mouths of lying children.
Correction: (08/08/2008) “Twelve Spotted Skimmer” is actually a Halloween Pennant
Hi,
I believe the Twelve-Spotted Skimmer you have recently posted is actually a Halloween Pennant, Celithemis eponina. The yellow and brown coloration of the wings are pretty distinctive, as is the pattern of spots. The Twelve-Spotted Skimmer always has clear wings with three black spots on each, and white spots in between them on the males. Here’s a (year-old) picture: Hope this helps!
Susan
Another Correction (08/08/2008) mis-identified 12-spotted skimmer
As a daily visitor to your site and avid insect photographer (especially dragonflies), I wanted to let you know that the dragonfly posted yesterday is not a 12-spotted skimmer, but a Halloween Pennant.
Cheryl Rose
And yet another correction: (08/08/2008) Attention: dragonfly ID
This looks like a Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina). See: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/ny/341.htm ; many other good photos online; or and excellent photo on your Dragonfly 2 page (Halloween Pennant Dragonfly with hitch-hiking Mites [12/11/2007]). Regards.
Karl
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Posted 07 August 2008
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Query Damsel Flies mating followed by cannibalism
Hi,
I was photographing these Eastern Forktail Damselflies (July 25th) and after mating the male appeared to be killing and eating the female. The wings actually fell off. I ‘Googled’ the query Damselfly Mating and Cannibalism and came to your site.
Marlene Walker
Huntsville, Ontario, Canada
Hi Marlene,
We are curious to hear from any experts regarding what we suspect is an unusual phenomenon. Postcoital Cannibalism is not that rare in the world of insects and arthropods since a male sperm donar will also provide a hearty meal for the female who now has the burdon of laying eggs. She needs her nourishment. The role reversal in your Damselfly image would seem to be an anomaly.
Correction: (09/03/2008)
Hello, I am a NY Dragonfly and Damselfly surveyor and am responding to the email below. The damselfly was identified as a male but it is in fact a female Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis). While it is not common for a female to eat the male it is not unheard of. Dragonflies and damselflies are frequently seen eating other dragonflies and damselflies.
Annette Oliveira
Long Island, New York
Common Whitetail Dragonfly Photo
Hello Bugman!
I took this picture of what I think is a Common Whitetail Dragonfly that buzzed past me while I was working in the garden. Thought you might like this shot! Thanks for the buggy goodness!
michele from upstate NY
Hi Michele,
Your photo of a Common Whitetail is a welcome addition to our Dragonfly pages.
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Posted 06 July 2008
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resembles "giant water bug" in size but not appearance
Dear BugMan-
I found this bug in a stream in New Hampshire. The body was thin, flat and flexible, and it acted very passively in my hand — I had actually mistaken it for a piece of tree bark until it slowly extended its legs. The eyes are on the sides of the head. I apologize for the poor image quality (I was without my camera and had to resort to a cellphone — no macro setting); I am a big fan of your site and wanted to be able to send you something better… but I’ve looked everywhere online and can’t find any bugs that look like this one! What could this large aquatic insect be?
Ian
Hi Ian,
This is the aquatic nymph, known as a Naiad, of a species of Dragonfly known as the Dragonhunter, Hagenius brevistylus. It is very distinctive in appearance. We have only one prior submission of this species on our site.
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Posted 06 July 2008
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More bug love
I love your site!! I just found it and will be using it to help identify some of my insect species I find up here in southwestern Manitoba in Canada. My co-workers have been teasing me lately b/c of my photos of what they call, ‘beetle porn’. I noticed you didn’t have many for the dragonflies so I thought I would send my most lovely one to you…photo that is. And if you care to tell me the species, I would great appreciate that as well, save me from looking it up!
Sherry Lynn Punak-Murphy
Natural Resource Technician/Biologist
Manitoba
Hi Sherry-Lynn,
Your photo of mating Dragonflies. It truly is wonderful. We are not that adept at exact species identification of Dragonflies. Perhaps a reader will supply us with an answer and perhaps you will do the work on the exact identification and notify us. Please include Dragonfly ID in the subject line.
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Posted 04 July 2008
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Tagged: bug love
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