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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Spiketails (Cordulegastridae) » Cordulegaster » Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis)
Photo#310906
Pacific Spiketail preys on Yellow Jacket - Cordulegaster dorsalis - male
Copyright © 2009 iNaturalist

Pacific Spiketail preys on Yellow Jacket - Cordulegaster dorsalis - Male
Rancho San Antonio, Cupertino, Santa Clara County, California, USA
September 2, 2006
Size: ~85 mm
The dragonfly is arching its abdomen in apparent annoyance at being harassed, but the wasp is unable to assist its mate/sibling, nearly consumed in this shot. See linked image for additional detail re this event.

Prey has been id'd as Vespula pensylvanica.

Images of this individual: tag all
Pacific Spiketail preys on Yellow Jacket - Cordulegaster dorsalis - male Pacific Spiketail, Cordulegaster dorsalis, preys on wasp - Cordulegaster dorsalis - male
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Contributed by iNaturalist on 27 July, 2009 - 1:49pm
Last updated 22 August, 2009 - 4:38pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 22 August, 2009 - 4:38pm login or register to post comments

 
Agreed - Great shot!
...And I have never seen one of these Pacific Spiketails, although I have spent a little time at Rancho San Antonio. I will have to seek one out. Probably too late for this year, though!

It is an interesting coincidence that the dragonfly and the yellow jacket share the same color scheme! Warning the wasp right back!
… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 19 November, 2010 - 11:39pm login or register to post comments

great capture
The wasp is Vespula pensylvanica, the western yellowjacket.
… Vespula Vulgaris, 27 July, 2009 - 3:05pm login or register to post comments

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