Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
spiniferus
Identification
Guide images should allow for easy recognition.
- Thorax unmarked bright green in both sexes
- In mature males the abdomen has a dark purple dorsal stripe flanked by bright blue lateral stripes
- When cool, the blue stripes change to purple and may become so dark as to blend in with the dorsal stripe to give a uniform purplish abdomen (see also Internet Ref. below)
- Immature males, and females, have red abdomens and can easily be mistaken for Comet Darner
- Mature females have rusty brown to purple abdomens
- Both sexes have a large black spot, a "bulls eye" in front of the eyes
; a feature that is absent in Comet Darners
Tony's lateral images give great male/female comparison
Some closeups of the end of the abdomen for comparison:
Female dorsal:
Female lateral:
Range
NS to BC south throughout the USA
Habitat
Adults are strong flyers and may be found anywhere but are more common near larval habitat: still marshy waters, fresh and slightly brackish.
Season
Late Spring - Fall in Canada. Longer season as one moves south to fly all year in southern Florida
Food
Both adults and larvae are predaceous
Life Cycle
Females oviposit in aquatic vegetation, eggs laid beneath the water surface. Larvae probably take several years to mature. Mature larva crawls up an emergent plant before adult emerges. Adults migrate north in Spring, these do breed in Canada. In the Fall the adults may form swarms and migrate south.
Remarks
Larva are large. Exuviae can be found on emergent plants just above water surface.
Internet References
Information about temperature-induced, reversible color change, accompanied by photos:
Ohio Odonata Society.
