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Blue Marsh Hawk (male)

Orthetrum glaucum

Photo by Elsa
Published on Project Noah
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-5.43333, 123.767

Field Notes

Description:

This dragonfly was medium size (around 4 cm) with an electrical blue body, black eyes and white tail with a blue shading towards black tail.

Notes:

Thanks to Gordon Dietzman and Sttweets for pointing me in the right ID direction!

Species ID Suggestions

Eastern Pondhaw

Erythemis simplicicollis

Reference Link
Shilo Vinograd
1

Comments (16)
Elsa
Karen, I just saw your comment - though posted a while ago want to say thank you :)
LarryGraziano
Great shots Elsa!! you can add this to the new "color blue" mission: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8382876
Elsa
Think I finally managed to ID this one!
Elsa
Sounds like I got some work cut out for me then! Thanks for the direction, appreciate it :) - you seem to know a thing or two about dragonflies!
Gordon Dietzman
I'm afraid I can't help too much with the ID either as I'm not acquainted with dragonflies in that part of the world. It is in the family Libellulidae and that is where I'd start an ID search. In addition, it is likely a male as the tail looks like it is pruinose, which is a waxy, bluish coloration that develops on the maturing males of some species. There are about a 1000 species of Libellulidae world-wide, and to ID to the species--with some species--you really need to have the insect in hand and examine the cerci with a hand lens. But I think, with some research, you might have some success with this particular species. Nice photo!
Elsa
Thanks for the suggestion, I will investigate more into actual species :) Appreciate the lead.
sttweets
It's definitely a Chaser, in Europe it would be a broad-bodied one, but I don't think they can be found in the US or in Asia. It has to be some 'local' variety.
Elsa
Thanks Marta, and thanks for ID suggestion Shilo.. I'm missing that gradation in the colouration on the eastern pondhaw though? What'ya think?
The MnMs
I have no idea for now..is very pretty, though :-)
Elsa
Now that there's so much action going on here - can someone help me ID this guy?
Elsa
@SteveA Thank you very much for that kind compliment! @Joseph, maybe you can help me ID this guy? Perhaps it was drying its wing? I didn't notice that behaviour until you pointed it out :)
Steve A
Love your macro work - Five stars!
Elsa
New photo added to this spotting - ID help would be appreciated!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Global Dragonflies & Damselflies
Photographed
PublishedMay 8, 2011

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