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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Libellula » Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)
Photo#1269240
Dragonflies mating - Libellula vibrans
Copyright © 2016 Pauline Horn

Dragonflies mating - Libellula vibrans
Lake Roland, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA
July 30, 2016
Size: 2.5"
These two mated, then the female rested for a few minutes, then, I think, laid eggs in shallow water about 10 ft. away.

Images of this individual: tag all
Dragonflies mating - Libellula vibrans Female Great Blue Skimmer resting after mating - Libellula vibrans Female Great Blue Skimmer - Libellula vibrans - female Male Great Blue Skimmer - Libellula vibrans
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Contributed by Pauline Horn on 2 August, 2016 - 8:38pm
Last updated 5 August, 2016 - 9:55am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… John S. Ascher, 5 August, 2016 - 9:55am login or register to post comments

I'm thinking these are Great
I'm thinking these are Great Blue Skimmers. On the one in front, the male, you can see a white face, pale sides of the thorax, bluish abdomen and dark wingtips, all of which are OK for that species.
… John Schneider, 2 August, 2016 - 8:41pm login or register to post comments

 
Great Blue Skimmers mating
The one in front is the male?
… Pauline Horn, 2 August, 2016 - 8:46pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes
The male holds the female by the head or "neck," using appendages at the tip of his abdomen. Meanwhile, she curls her abdomen down and forward, attaching her terminal abdominal appendages to his secondary genitalia, where he has transferred his sperm. His secondary genitalia are located under his second abdominal segment, which is near the base of his abdomen.
… John Schneider, 2 August, 2016 - 8:52pm login or register to post comments

 
Great Blue Skimmers
I see, it's a bit confusing. Thanks. So am I correct about the lone dragonfly being the female?
… Pauline Horn, 2 August, 2016 - 8:55pm login or register to post comments

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