Photo 27735951, (c) Brian Gooding, all rights reserved, uploaded by Brian Gooding

Attribution © Brian Gooding
all rights reserved
Uploaded by briangooding briangooding
Source iNaturalist
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea)

Observer

briangooding

Date

October 30, 2018 06:00 PM CDT

Description

Young female Orthemis ferruginea with fused right forewing and hindwing as result of emerging complications

I was surprised by this dragonfly when I saw her late in the afternoon and she did not fly as I approached within a few feet.

I could not locate an exuviae but saw the right wings fused together a bit and presume she had likely not left the pond since emerging, probably earlier in the day, still having a bit of clouded eyes.

I took photos from a from a few angles and (for some reason...against my own non-interventionist policy) separated her wings by gently teasing them apart, which still resulted in some tearing. She immediately flew away.

Sizes
Copyright

2018