Subject: Dragonfly?
Geographic location of the bug: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Date: 07/25/2018
Time: 09:48 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I found this damaged and dead dragonfly in my back yard this morning. I’m having a difficult time identifying it. Thank you!!
How you want your letter signed: Lucy Lancaster
Dear Lucy,
Many Dragonflies exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females often look like entirely different species, and since male Dragonflies often are more colorful, they are most often found illustrating the species. That said, we believe we have identified this mutilated corpse as a female Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa, thanks to images included on the Arizona Dragonflies site, but we would not rule out that it might be a female Eastern Amberwing, Perithemistenera, which is also pictured on Arizona Dragonflies. Thanks for including the ruler for scale. Of the Mexican Amberwing, BugGuide notes: “Small, thorax and abdomen yellowish-brown and unmarked. Wing markings rather variable.”