Dragonfly Cannibalism
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- jaharris1001
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Dragonfly Cannibalism
nature never ceases to amaze,,,
Jim
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
- Michigan Michael
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- jaharris1001
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The first is a real stunner. It seems to have been taken in bright overcast lighting, with the second one in sunlight. If so, it is a perfect demonstration of why the former lighting, giving reduced contrast and saturated colours is preferred for flower images, amongst others.
Harold
Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.
- jaharris1001
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- Erland R.N.
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Great captures. I enjoy pictures like this with brutal display of behaviour.
Before I clicked the thread I wondered what species I might find, but my mind was on European species. Seeing the pictures, I see you caught one of the dragonflies best known for taking large prey, the Eastern Pondhawk, Erythemis simplicollis. It's a male eating what I believe to be a young male Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis, judging by the abdomen markings and the long bright wing-markings. Normally it's only called cannibalism if both are the same species though.
Erland
Before I clicked the thread I wondered what species I might find, but my mind was on European species. Seeing the pictures, I see you caught one of the dragonflies best known for taking large prey, the Eastern Pondhawk, Erythemis simplicollis. It's a male eating what I believe to be a young male Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis, judging by the abdomen markings and the long bright wing-markings. Normally it's only called cannibalism if both are the same species though.
Erland
- jaharris1001
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Thanks Erland,, someone else identified the blue one as a Eastern Pondhawk too,, I believe its victim is of the following picture, there seems to be many of these gold dragons flying around as of late,, I wasnt able to get an ID on the gold one,, searched buguide for more than 100 pages
Jim
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
- Erland R.N.
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Jim, the prey in your pictures shows some long thin yellow marks on top of the abdomen. There are infact two rows of yellow stripes, but only the side of the abdomen is seen in the pictures. I've checked with some pictures of mine, and the pattern on the thorax (below the wings) are also indicating that it is a Blue Dasher.
Your third picture shows a species with very different markings on the thorax, essentially a bright area along the lenght.
The wing veins are also different, with many cross veins at the leading edge (compare to the wings of the prey, which have very few cross veins).
The top of the abdomen is a black line. Several species look like this. The bright legs with only dark spikes, and the look of the wings with orange pteterostigma and dark wing tips, make me think that this is a female Needham's Skimmer, Libellula needhami. This species is essentially a coastal species, at least in Texas and Louisiana.
Erland
Your third picture shows a species with very different markings on the thorax, essentially a bright area along the lenght.
The wing veins are also different, with many cross veins at the leading edge (compare to the wings of the prey, which have very few cross veins).
The top of the abdomen is a black line. Several species look like this. The bright legs with only dark spikes, and the look of the wings with orange pteterostigma and dark wing tips, make me think that this is a female Needham's Skimmer, Libellula needhami. This species is essentially a coastal species, at least in Texas and Louisiana.
Erland
- jaharris1001
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Thanks Danny for the kind words and comment
Erland, after your observations and description,, I believe you are definately correct,,a very good observation on your part,, the wings do look different as well as the thorax,, well done,, thanks for your input, much appreciated
Erland, after your observations and description,, I believe you are definately correct,,a very good observation on your part,, the wings do look different as well as the thorax,, well done,, thanks for your input, much appreciated
Jim
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett
"I'm growing older,, but not up " Jimmy Buffett