Dragonfly from NJ USA (1 Viewer)

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tom baxter

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2014

• #1

In my ID guide for dragonflies of New Jersey, the only close match having dark wingtips is yellow-sided skimmer, but the abdomen color does not match. The book does not have very many photos and I have that problem often where my subject is a standard variant of the photo provided in my guide. Any confirmation would be great, thank you!

 

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honeym

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2014

• #2

Hi
I think your dragonfly is a great Blue Skimmer. See http://waltersanford.wordpress.com/tag/great-blue-skimmer-dragonfly/. Probably an older female.
Martin

 

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tom baxter

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2014

• #3

Thank you, I have just recently identified a few great blue skimmers that were consistent with the photos in my guide. So that is a good suggestion. I still do not see the extensive dark wing tips though in the photo links you sent above, is that something you have experience with? I will say that this subject was especially large as I recall so I could see it as a possibility.

 

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caffeinated

Member

• Aug 2, 2014

• #4

Hi -- I agree with Great Blue Skimmer -- I've definitely seen females with those black spots at the ends of the wings. Generally I think of the females as being more brown, but I was just looking in the western Paulson guide, and he shows what he identifies as a female Great Blue Skimmer that looks just like the insect in your photo. (Weirdly that photo isn't shown in the eastern Paulson, but anyway.)

 

honeym

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2014

• #5

Hi
This was the image that made me think it matched yours.
http://waltersanford.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/p1100122-rw2-ver2_aperture-scaled1000.jpg
It also goes on to say that as the females get older they develop the blue pruinescence of the males.
I'm glad someone else agrees as they're not my specialilty.
Best wishes
Martin

 

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tom baxter

Well-known member

• Aug 3, 2014

• #6

Oh that is a great match Martin, that certainly looks right. Thank you guys for the help I probably wouldn't have guessed that from my guide.