3 ans sans le voir ! C'est long.

Érythème des étangs mâle (Erythemis simplicicollis)...presque mature. Pour la tache brune, je ne sais pas.

 

Ho la belle verte !

C'est la première fois que je la rencontre autour de ma mare à grenouilles. Erythemis simplicicolis juvénile dans quelques temps elle sera toute gris-bleu. Prédation.

Pourtant commun...

Mais vu rarement, du moins par moi. De juillet à septembre 2015 et juin 2017 pour la dernière.
Erythemis simplicicollis mâle. Le tout au 300mm.

Oh la belle verte !

Belle mais véloce ! Juste 2 photos de l'Erythème simplicicollis ou Erythème des étangs. Femelle ou mâle immature.

The Ravenous Pondhawk

In early October, I encountered this Erythemis simplicicollis, Eastern Pondhawk, with the prey that it had just captured. The Pondhawk was living up to its reputation as a "voracious predator" as it devoured  the female Rambur's Forktail.

Erythemsis simplicicollis with Ischnura ramburii

I was able to view this feast at quite a close range as the preoccupied dragon ignored my presence.

The very next day at the same wetlands, I came across another pondhawk. This time the Pondhawk had captured a female Needham's Skimmer that equaled it in size. This was fascinating for me to see, but unfortunately the duo disappeared into the reeds and I was unable to relocate them.

Erythemsis simplicicollis with a Libellula needhami

Going Green!

The Eastern Pondhawk, Erythemis simplicicollis, is a prevalent, widespread species located throughout Florida. They are ferocious of insect predators and will capture prey matching their size. The females and immatures display the green coloration while mature males are blue with green eyes.