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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Libellula » Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Photo#544483
Dragonfly - Seabrook, NH - Libellula pulchella
Copyright © 2011 Patricia Evans

Dragonfly - Seabrook, NH - Libellula pulchella
Seabrook, New Hampshire, USA
July 9, 2011
Size: Approximately 3" long
While I was working in my yard on Sunday afternoon, this dragonfly seemed to be watching me from its vantage point on top of one of my tomato stakes. Every once in awhile, it would fly up, circle around a few times, and then land back down, on the very same stake. I took a few photos standing back, so I wouldn't disturb it. But then, I moved in close. It let me get as close as two inches away, which allowed for a few really nice macro shots! I don't know how to tell if it is a male or female. And I'd love to know the species! Thanks for any help you can offer!

Patty Evans
Seabrook, NH

Images of this individual: tag all
Dragonfly - Seabrook, NH - Libellula pulchella Dragonfly - Seabrook, NH - Libellula pulchella Dragonfly - Seabrook, NH - Libellula pulchella
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Contributed by Patricia Evans on 12 July, 2011 - 2:50pm
Last updated 1 August, 2011 - 5:48pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Ken Schneider, 1 August, 2011 - 5:48pm login or register to post comments

Libellula pulchella
This appears to be a female Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchell.
… Mark H Brown, 12 July, 2011 - 3:06pm login or register to post comments

 
The wasp flying by in the pic
The wasp flying by in the picture is a black and yellow mud dauber
… k jkh, 12 July, 2011 - 7:01pm login or register to post comments

 
Libellula pulchella
Thanks for your quick ID, Mark!
I can see the difference between the male and the female now!
The male has distinctive white spots on the wings, too.
Very interesting!
… Patricia Evans, 12 July, 2011 - 3:41pm login or register to post comments

 
Nice capture!
Nice capture!
… Pete Thompson, 18 September, 2011 - 8:26am login or register to post comments

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