BRN 9-2 (uncompressed) - Flipbook - Page 15
Flame Skimmer
During the 2024 summer and autumn
seasons fewer Flame Skimmers,
Libellula saturata (Uhler, 1857), were
observed than were present in prior
years along the Rio Grande; most of
these were males. Behaviors
observed included perching to
'sleep', warm, and to hunt, and ßying
territorial patrols in search of a mate
and to challenge other male
dragonßies.
G
G. Male 'sleeping' in the shade of
Coyote Willow canopy;
characterized by reddish eyes,
dark orange thorax with a bright
white medial line, and a medium
orange abdomen; the wings
clearly show the orange patch
distribution, associated vein
coloration, and dark orange,
elongate, basal spots. 07/08/24
H. A backlit female image clearly
shows wing color distribution,
vein color along the leading wing
edges, and the ßaps or ßanges on
abdominal segment S-8. 07/09/24
I. Enlargement of the female head
and thorax with some features
shaded due to sun angle; her eyes
are brown, face is light brownishwhite, the thorax and abdomen
are medium-brown, the thorax has
a white medial line, and there are
narrow areas of tan color/white
veins along leading wing edges.
08/23/24
H
Red Saddlebags
Only a few Red Saddlebags, Tramea
onusta (Hagen, 1861), were observed
along the Rio Grande during 2024;
these were entirely perching/hunting
males. At Mesilla Valley Bosque State
Park, they selected perches high on
small Screwbean Mesquite trees
surrounded by open patches of
Bermuda Grass and annual, weedy
forbs.
J. Backlit, ventral view of male
illustrates his wing venation and
reddish-orange stigma cells, the
saddlebag pattern of the rear wing
base fully exposed and his red
face with dark reddishbrown eyes. 07/08/24
I
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