This eye-popping, brilliant red belongs to the Scarlet Skimmer, a.k.a. Crimson Darter, Crocothemis servilia. Found in East and South East Asia, it has also has taken up residence in Florida, Cuba, and Hawaii. They frequent habitats with still waters and grassy fields, and are commonly seen around disturbed areas such as ditches and golf ponds. Reaching lengths up to one and a half inches or more, they are one of the larger red dragonflies. While many dragonflies are known for their frenetic flight, these guys are perchers; sitting tall on marsh vegetation, ready to ambush their prey or chase off any intruders to their territory. Their striking color makes them easy to spot; even the eyes of the male are red, and a dark line running along the abdomen helps distinguish this from other species.
I found this one along Heron Hideout at Circle B Bar Reserve.
Polk County, Florida.
Tags: Scarlet Skimmer, a.k.a. Crimson Darter, Crocothemis servilia. Circle B Bar Reserve Heron Hideout Wildlife nature outside Florida Animal Animals USA US woods forest Swamp marsh water fly Gary Helm Central Florida Polk County canon SX50 wild birding birdwatching wading birds Florida Birds wetlands feeding Dragonfly Macro bug outdoor insect plant ghelm4747
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly helped remined me of that!
Among the taxonomic relationships in the dragonfly world is the Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis Ferruginea) a Pink rose colored double-dragonfly and is actually a very aggressive predator in nature. This dragonfly is from the Family Libellulidae and the male of this species has a rosy-pink and red-maroon colored abdomen. Youngsters have a bright pinkish or purple abdomen and when they are mature adults their thorax will develop a pale bluish tint. It behaves like many other species of Libellula by foraging at the top of tall vegetation and is an aggressive predator taking insects that are just slightly smaller than itself. Males will vigorously patrol regular territories averaging 10 miles in diameter. This dragonfly species is widespread and seems to invade new habitats and will readily expand its range into new habitats such as ponds, lakes, temporary pools, canals found throughout North and Central America. If you want to attract dragonflies try putting in a water garden! Plants with flowers that attract a lot of insects to them may also bring dragonflies since they are attracted to any area with flowers and when they arrive there will be plenty of insects for them to eat.
I found this one along Heron Hideout at Circle B Bar Reserve.
Polk County, Florida.
Tags: Think Pink Roseate Skimmer dragonfly Circle B Bar Reserve Polk County Circle B Bar Reserve 'Heron Hideout Florida nature wildlife insect bug pink marsh water swamp trail canon SX50HS Gary Helm Gary Helm ghelm4747 Central Florida Rose Colored USA US outside Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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Dragonflies are ancient insects.
Long before the dinosaurs walked the Earth, dragonflies took to the air. If we could transport ourselves back 250 million years, we would immediately recognize the familiar sight of dragonflies flying in pursuit of prey. Griffenflies, the gigantic precursors of our modern dragonflies, took flight in the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago.
This species is found from southern British Columbia east to Ontario, extending south through the U.S. from southern California east to Florida. It also occurs in the Bahamas. It occurs near warm water ponds, warm, slow streams, and hot springs. In the northern part of its range, it almost always occurs near hot springs.
I found this one in my backyard in Lake Wales, Florida.
I believe the other bug in the shot is an Aquatic Midge Fly. They are non-biting insects found in lakes and ponds throughout Florida and are known by many common names including blind mosquito and fuzzy bill. They do not bite, suck blood, or carry disease like true mosquitoes do, so they are more of a nuisance than anything.
They are also eaten by Dragonflies!
Tags: Blue Dasher Dragonfly Florida Lake Wales Polk County insect bug wings fly flight nature wildlife outside USA US water warm still Stillwater Female SX50HS canon camera ghelm4747 Gary Helm backyard ponds Slow Streams ancient Insects outdoor animal macro
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The Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is a species dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to the Americas, where its distribution extends from the United States to Brazil. It is common and widespread It is an introduced species in Hawaii.
The male of the species has a rose pink and red abdomen. The female has an orange-brown abdomen with clear orange veins and a brownish thorax with a light stripe down the back. The wings are normally clear except for brown pterostigmata at the leading edges.
It tolerates a wide range of habitat types, but usually requires open water. This can include disturbed and artificial water bodies, such as tanks and ditches. It can live in open or vegetated land. It breeds in mud.
I found this one at Dinner Island Ranch where there is lots of water, and mud.
Tags: Male Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly male Dragonfly wings fly insect nature wildlife outside Florida Hendry County red pink Dinner Island Ranch water mus USA US North America South America Orthemis ferruginea SX50HS ghelm4747 Canon PowerShot Gary Helm bug critter outdoor macro plants animal plant flower
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The Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly is wide ranging, found throughout the eastern United States to the Great Plains and from southern Ontario to Florida. It's found in almost all 67 Florida counties. Pondhawks, like other dragonflies, are predators and hunt for meat. As adults, they mostly eat other insects (mosquitoes, flies, damselflies, etc), though some larger dragonflies are known to eat hummingbirds and other non-insect flying animals. Pondhawks catch their food while flying, using their long legs to grab and hold their food. They'll often land before eating, though they can eat while they fly too!. Other common names include the Common Pondhawk and Green Jacket. . Often ound near ponds and slow-moving water. I found this one in the canal behind my house. Lake Wales, Florida.
Tags: Insect outdoor dragonfly animal macro outside Florida Lake Wales Polk County canal water pond lake fly flight wings Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly male Erythemis implicicolls wide Ranging US USA Canon Camera wildlife nature bug predators meat flies Green Jacket Common Pondhawk mosquitoes ghelm4747 Gary Helm Sx50HS PowerShot
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