Common Darter?

valdf · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 07:32 PM

I believe this newly-emerged dragonfly is a Common Darter. Is it possible to tell whether it's male or female?

Thanks,
Val

wint · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 07:52 PM

I would say male based on its waisted abdomen but I sit to be corrected.

valdf · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 10:57 AM

Well it seems no one wants to correct you, Paul, so I'm happy with male!

Thanks,
Val

GuyF · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 01:25 PM

Afraid I'm going to be awkward and disagree. I think it's a female because of the shape of the appendages at the tip of the abdomen. These appear to be two short spikes which would match a female, whereas a male would have claspers which would give the tip of the abdomen a long pointed shape.
Guy

wint · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 02:57 PM

Agree 100% with Guy. I clicked on the image and got what I can now see is just the right hand one which has its appendages hidden. In the left hand picture the double row of black dashes on the side of the abdomen (a female characteristic in several darter species) are visible in addition to the appendages Guy mentioned.

I sit corrected!