Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk)
female, Saguaro NP West
A common and very widespread dragonfly, this species can be seen thoughout the United States, north the Canada and down into Mexico.
In Arizona, this species can be seen in any month, often far from water.
Key features for identifying this species are yellow spots on the sides of the abdomen (not visible in these photos), richly-patterned abdomen and clear, rather than dark wing bases. The animal shown here is a female - like other Sympetrum species, males and female have strikingly-different colouration.
In Arizona, this species can be seen in any month, often far from water.
Key features for identifying this species are yellow spots on the sides of the abdomen (not visible in these photos), richly-patterned abdomen and clear, rather than dark wing bases. The animal shown here is a female - like other Sympetrum species, males and female have strikingly-different colouration.
Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon)
female, Sabino Canyon
Only four species of this genus occur in the United States, and this is the only one present in Arizona, where it can be seen from April to November. It is a species of sandy and rocky streams and can be identified by the elongate, pale markings on the abdomen, deep brown markings right at the base of the wings (not clearly visible in this photo) and grey sides to the abdomen (hence the common name).
Males have a distinctive orange colour to the top of their thorax. That is lacking in this photo, so it's presumably a female. According to the excellent Paulson guide to western dragonflies (Princeton University Press, 2009), females are not common to see, so I guess I got lucky!
Males have a distinctive orange colour to the top of their thorax. That is lacking in this photo, so it's presumably a female. According to the excellent Paulson guide to western dragonflies (Princeton University Press, 2009), females are not common to see, so I guess I got lucky!
Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer)
male, Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
This species is a common resident of rocky streams in the south-west and is on the wing in Arizona from March until November.
This species can be identified by its rather dull red colouration and conspicuous orange wing bases. Females have a pale brown face and brown and black abdomen.
The Red Rock Skimmer occurs in western California, most of Arizona and through southern New Mexico and south-western Texas, ranging as far south as Costa Rica.
This species can be identified by its rather dull red colouration and conspicuous orange wing bases. Females have a pale brown face and brown and black abdomen.
The Red Rock Skimmer occurs in western California, most of Arizona and through southern New Mexico and south-western Texas, ranging as far south as Costa Rica.
Argia sabino (Sabino Dancer) - possibly
female, Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
The dark colouration with a pale tip to the abdomen and resting position with closed wings and black cells at the wingtips identify this as an Argia species - a very diverse and widespread group of damselflies in the American southwest.
A.sabino females can be distinguished by the wide, forked antehumeral stripe (only faintly visible here) and very dark abdomen with a solid, pale blue tip.
Given the quality of the photos, it's impossible to be sure for now - maybe an expert from AZ will be able to offer some advice!
A.sabino females can be distinguished by the wide, forked antehumeral stripe (only faintly visible here) and very dark abdomen with a solid, pale blue tip.
Given the quality of the photos, it's impossible to be sure for now - maybe an expert from AZ will be able to offer some advice!