BRN 9-2 (uncompressed) - Flipbook - Page 14
female's S-8 segment, where
reproductive organs of each are
located. 11/16/24
E. An enlarged view of the male's
orange cerci pair clasping either
side of the female's 'neck' (his
epiproct is applying compression
against the female's eyes and is
not in view) to maintain tandem
linkage while in the mating wheel
and later to guide the female to
egg deposition sites over open
water. 10/24/24
E
Roseate Skimmer
During the 2024 summer and autumn
seasons about half the number of
Roseate Skimmers as observed in
prior years were present along the Rio
Grande; most of these were males.
Behaviors observed included
perching to warm and to hunt, and
territorial patrols in search of a mate
and to challenge other male
dragonßies.
C. Male selects a perch on a willow
stem along the Rio Grande while
linked in a mating wheel with the
female (R); in this conÞguration
the male transfers sperm from his
S-2 to the female's S-8. 10/24/24
D. Pair linked in a mating wheel
where the male (U) releases sperm
from his S-2 segment to the
F
13
F. Female perches on a Honey
Mesquite twig and hunts for small
ßying insects at Mesilla Valley
Bosque State Park; she has
reddish-brown eyes, brown face,
thorax is brown with a complex
pattern of white markings and
stripes, the abdomen is brown and
has ßaps on the sides of S-8.
(07/01/24)
