I know that this sounds like a trick question but I asked myself this very question when I encountered the dragonfly pictured below this afternoon. I have had lots of practice observing and photographing Blue Dasher dragonflies (Pachydiplax longipennis) and they have always been blue.
From the “waist” up this looks like a typical Blue Dasher with the distinctive chest markings. (I realize that I am not using the anatomically correct language so I apologize if anyone is offended by my ignorance.) The tail, though, is completely different in color—it is not blue.
A little research on the internet reveals that the female Blue Dasher, as shown above, is not blue. She (and juvenile males) have the yellow stripes on the tail as shown.
I am still left wondering, though, about the male-female ratio for Blue Dashers and have no explanation why until now I have seen only males.
I will leave you to ponder that mystery as you look at one of my favorite photo from yesterday of a male Blue Dasher.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
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