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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Damselflies (Zygoptera) » Narrow-winged Damselflies (Coenagrionidae) » Forktails (Ischnura) » Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Photo#25110
Eastern Forktail - Ischnura verticalis - Ischnura verticalis - male
Copyright © 2005 Joanne Shuman

Eastern Forktail - Ischnura verticalis - Ischnura verticalis - Male
Stafford, Stafford County, Virginia, USA
July 19, 2005
Found flying around vegetation by water. Is it a female Ischnura verticalis? At frist I thought it was a male but the segments seem more blue thus my decision on female. Correction or confirmation welcome.
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Contributed by Joanne Shuman on 22 July, 2005 - 2:25am
Last updated 25 July, 2005 - 3:20am

Right the first time
Joanne, you were right the first time, this is a typical male Eastern Forktail.

The females come in several color variations (some based on age and some not) but yours doesn't match any of the female forms.

The basic mature female Eastern Forktail would not have the blue tip to the abdomen. It would also be darker on the head and thorax, usually sort of dark gray-blue.

There is a scarce "male-like female" coloration, but this doesn't really match up to that.

Nice photo!

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com
… Stephen Cresswell, 22 July, 2005 - 5:45am login or register to post comments

 
Male vs. Female
Thank you, now I understand a little better as to what I need to look for and will not be so quick in changing my mind again but I guess these damselflies will do that to you. :)
… Joanne Shuman, 22 July, 2005 - 8:50am login or register to post comments

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