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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Whitetails (Plathemis) » Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Photo#61664
Darner? - Plathemis lydia - male
Copyright © 2006 Gerry Bunker

Darner? - Plathemis lydia - Male
Westford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
July 5, 2006
This dragonfly exhibited some strange behavior. I followed it around for quite some time. Every time I got near it, it flew off. Finally it settled on the side of this tree. When I got close to it, I could see the abdomen expanding and contracting, while at the same time, it seemed to make these strange sound almost like snapping it's mandibles. Very strange. This first shot is with its abdomen expanded.

I'd like to know sex and species as dragonflies are really not my forte. I'm thinking Darner merely because of the shape of the head.
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Contributed by Gerry Bunker on 5 July, 2006 - 9:15pm
Last updated 15 July, 2007 - 12:33pm

Respiration...
The expansion and contraction of the abdomen you observed is how the insect pumps oxygen bearing air through its body to its cells. A description of insect respiration is HERE
… Tam Stuart, 6 July, 2006 - 8:26pm login or register to post comments

 
Of course!
Well, I know it was breathing. I've looked at a lot of dragonflies but I've never noticed this before and coupled with the noise it was making, I assumed it was a behavior that is distinctive of the species that required it to expand and contract it's abdomen in order to make the noise it was making.
… Gerry Bunker, 6 July, 2006 - 9:12pm login or register to post comments

 
I'm moving this one to the guide
- preserving the interesting comments and record for MA in July - and frassing the others, since they are virtually identical.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 16 July, 2006 - 8:04pm login or register to post comments

I've noticed
I've noticed the breathing phenomenon you mentioned, with this species. I don't know if the white color just makes the breathing more obvious than with other species? Have never heard the noises, though. Something for me to listen for!
… Stephen_WV, 6 July, 2006 - 5:13am login or register to post comments

Plathemis lydia - Common Whitetail
Adult male. Females have a different wing pattern, interestingly. Images in the guide here. It's one of the broad winged Skimmers - Libellulidae.
… john and jane balaban, 5 July, 2006 - 9:21pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
If these need frassing, let me know. I see there is a ton already in the guide.
… Gerry Bunker, 5 July, 2006 - 9:47pm login or register to post comments

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