Mike Powell

Eastern Amberwings (Perithemis tenera) are one of the smallest dragonfly species where I live—less than one inch (25 mm) in length. I often see the amber-colored males buzzing around at the ponds that I visit, but it is pretty rare for me to spot a female.

Yesterday I visited Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge and was a bit surprised to see a female Eastern Amberwing dragonfly in the vegetation near the edge of a small pond. Unlike the males, females of these species have patterned wings that are partially clear. I maneuvered around to composed a shot and managed to capture this image of the dragonfly.

According to the website Dragonflies of Northern Virginia, one of my favorite dragonfly websites, female Eastern Amberwing dragonflies are often found far from the water in meadows where they share perches with hornet and other wasps. When they are threatened, these dragonflies will rhythmically move their wings up and down while pulsing their abdomens in imitation of a wasp to scare off potential predators that believe they are about to be stung.

I don’t know if this female was checking out the males at the pond, searching for a suitable partner, or perhaps had just mated and was recovering from the experience. Whatever the case, I was delighted to spot this elusive little dragonfly.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.