Mike Powell

I know that summer is almost here when dragonflies like this male Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) begin to appear. I spotted this distinctive-looking dragonfly on Tuesday at a small pond at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge.

Eastern Amberwings are really small at about one inch (25 mm) in length. According to the Dragonflies of Northern Virginia website, the Eastern Amberwing is “the smallest dragonfly in Northern Virginia, and second smallest in the U.S. (only Elfin Skimmers are smaller), Amberwings are fascinating little insects. No bigger than a horsefly or paperwasp, nature still found a way to pack a lot into this tiny package.”

These little dragonflies are considered to be wasp mimics, “Amberwings may be our only dragonfly that actively mimics a wasp. The markings and shape of their abdomens resemble a small wasp, but they take it several steps further. When threatened, they rhythmically move their wings up and down while pulsing their abdomens. All to imitate a wasp, we think, so as to scare off potential predators that believe they’re about to be stung.”

I love the stunning amber wings that are found on only the males of this species—the females have patterned wings that are mostly clear. As you can see in both photos, the male’s wings are quite transparent despite their darker color. I also really like the intricate patterns and markings on the abdomens of Eastern Amberwing dragonflies.

I look forward to seeing more and more Eastern Amberwings over the course of the next five months or so. Some summer dragonfly species have not yet appeared, but I am seeing more and more dragonflies as the temperatures rise and the hours of sunlight are extended.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.