Although the astronomical calendar indicates that it is now autumn, the summer season continues for many dragonflies. Many of them are showing a lot of wear and tear, like this female Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) with tattered wings that I spotted last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
At this time of the year it is not uncommon to see dragonflies and butterflies with damaged wings, but this is one of the most extreme cases that I have ever witnessed. Amazingly, she was still able to fly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great survivors!
Nice Mike! It is amazing that they can still fly with that much wing damage. I have seen even more damage and they still are flying.
Thanks, Reed. It truly is amazing they can survive with such severe injuries. I think that the fact that each wing operates independently helps a dragonfly compensate somewhat for the damage.
I saw a large dragonfly flitting around at the lake this last weekend. It was very busy. I wonder what causes such damage to their wings? Great photo Mike! 😊
Thanks, Jill. I don’t know for sure what causes the damage, but suspect that it is some combination of sharp vegetation, predators, and vigorous mating. 🙂
Wow. It is amazing she could fly. Great photo.
Wonder if something tried to catch or eat her?
I think that could be the case, but I am not sure. I am not sure how much “wear and tear” is normal for a dragonfly as it ages. I am a little bit tattered myself and as far as I know nobody has tried to catch or eat me. 🙂