As summer progress, the once pristine wings of dragonflies and butterflies become increasingly tattered and torn. When I spotted this handsome Spangled Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula cyanea) last week at Occoquan Regional Park, I couldn’t help but notice that he has varying degrees of damage on the trailing edge of all of his wings. Comparatively speaking, the damage is minor and did not seem to inhibit his activity in any way—I have seen dragonflies with much more severe damage that were still able to fly.
How did his wings get damaged? Predators such as birds or even other dragonflies could inflict damage as could vegetation with sharp branches and thorns. When I looked closely at this dragonfly’s abdomen, I also noticed scratches there, which made me think of another potential source of some of the damage. It is now the prime season for mating and like most male dragonflies, this dragonfly is vigorously trying to do his part to perpetuate the species.
Dragonfly mating can be rough and could be the source of some of the visible damage. The final photo shows a mating pair of Spangled Skimmer dragonflies and, judging from the locations of the damage to its wings, the male in the first photo appears to be one of the participants.
In case you are curious about identifying this dragonfly species, the white “stigmata” on the trailing edge both male and female Spangled Skimmers, i.e. the “spangles” responsible for its common name, make this species an easy one to identify.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Lovely post with such rich details. I chuckled at your musings on the possible reasons for the🤣 dragonflies disheveled appearance 😊
Thanks, Suzette. I danced around a little in wording my explanation, trying to be suggestive without being too explicit. When I read your comment that you “chuckled,” I realized that I might have hit the right balance.
I believe you succeeded 😊
Today, I thought of you when I saw, flying above my yard, a large single dragonfly with what looked like four black blocks where the wings attach over its abdomen. Any idea what it might have been?
Thanks for thinking of me. 🙂 It sounds to me like it might be Black Saddlebags. Here is a photo of one flying https://michaelqpowell.com/2017/08/24/dragons-in-the-air/ They tend to patrol in the air, which is one of the reasons why this dragonfly comes to mind in addition to the dark patches where the wings attach to the abdomen.
I have been impressed many times with dagonflies’ ability to maintain their agility in spite of what seems to be extensive wing damage. I also clearly remember one that I saw with an eye that had been caved in. but it still seemed to have adapted and to be able to maneuver as if it were intact.
I am really amazed, Gary, that a dragonfly could adapt to flying with only a single functioning eye. I know that with human vision we tend to rely on stereoscopic vision for depth perception, but I just am not sure how vision works with the dragonfly’s amazing compound eyes.
Nice Mike! And yes, the dragonflies seem to be getting somewhat tattered now! It is. Amazing to see a lot with very damaged wings still flying well!
Thanks, Reed. I guess that insects have to adapt or they won’t survive–the will to survive forces them to make adjustments and compensations for lost parts and functions.
Wow, stunning colour! I love that lavender hue and of course the lacy wings. Great detail Mike!
Thanks, Chris. As you have seen, I love getting in as close with my 180mm macro as I can and it’s amazing when I am able to capture the details of the dragonfly, especially those of the eyes and the wings.
[…] are able to cope with apparent physical disabilities. Mike’s recent post about a tattered skimmer (here) featured one with damaged wings. I’ve seen many with similar tears and wrinkles through the […]
It is amazing that dragonflies, along with butterflies, moths, and many other insects (and most animals for that matter) can function, adapt, and survive successfully despite losing some of their parts. For dragonflies, that are such deft fliers, it is even more impressive.
I am amazed too. When the will to survive is strong enough, it is incredible how well insects (and humans) can adapt and like well after catastrophic injuries.