Dragonflies are really fierce predators and will eat almost any insect that they can catch. Some dragonfly species will consume mosquitoes or other small insects while in flight, while others will hunt larger larger insect prey and, if successful, will perch at ground-level in order to enjoy a more leisurely meal.
Although they are not all that big in size, Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis) are the species that I most often encounter with a large victim, often another dragonfly or a damselfly. I spotted this female Eastern Pondhawk last Wednesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge as she was feasting on a hapless Big Bluet damselfly (Enallagma durum).
I apologize if the image is too gruesome for some viewers, but I have grown accustomed to the “circle of life” in nature and recognize that all creatures have to eat. As for today’s predator, the Eastern Pondhawk, she could easily become tomorrow’s prey and be captured by a bird or a larger dragonfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
This is an awesome shot.
Thanks so much. I had to work the angle a bit to get the proper view of both the dragonfly and the damselfly and am pretty happy with how it turned out.
Very nice Mike! Lately we are seeing quite a few pondhawks here. More than earlier in the season.
Thanks, Reed. Last week I had the same thought–there seemed to be more Eastern Pondhawks around than any other species. There are still some Needham’s Skimmers and Great Blue Skimmers, but most of them are looking to be a little long in the tooth (thought dragonflies technically don’t really have teeth).
Nature IS gruesome … that’s one of the many wonderful things about it. Great shot!
Thanks. Nature follows its own rules. As for the question of “gruesome,” I leave that determination, which is a kind of emotional evaluation, to each individual viewer.
It’s a dragonfly eat damselfly world out there. Nice catch, Mike.
That is extraordinary, Mike! Fabulous photo!
Thanks, Pete. I have seen this kind of situation numerous time, but this is probably my best result so far in capturing the behavior in a photo.
That is the law of nature. Nothing gruesome in that. You just captured the moment and for that you should be applauded.
Thanks, Michael. I agree with you that the photo is just a graphic illustration of one of the laws of nature. As for the question of whether the photo is “gruesome,” I don’t find it to be so, but recognize that people have different levels of squeamishness and sensitivity.
I totally agree.
Fantastic capture! I love that you document these behaviours so that I can see them.
Thanks, Laura. I see all kinds of interesting things when I am out in the wild and it is very cool when I am able to capture and share images of some of those things.
Cracking image Mike!
Thanks. I tried a couple of different angles and was glad that I found one that worked.
[…] a damselfly. Some larger insects may hunt you down while you are flying—see my recent post called Predator that shows an Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly consuming a damselfly. Other creatures may try to trap you […]
Nice