Two damselflies, one with passengers

[centuryplant]

This Marsh Bluet caught my eye because of a patch of red that didn't belong. The camera revealed the little round water mites on the underside of its abdomen.

I think this an Emerald Spreadwing, but females are hard to identify. I like the green and brown color scheme better than the green and white of male Emeralds; it's as if she's been brushed along her back with a metallic glaze, leaving some patches of bare clay showing.

She was missing a hind leg and part of a middle one, and she kept waving the injured leg around as if she couldn't figure out what to do with it. Maybe she expected to feel her foot touch the perch. Damselflies don't really walk, so her ability to get around wouldn't be affected, but she might have had more trouble catching prey.

Comments

[holyschist]

Oh dear, mites. :-( Gorgeous photos as always; I love the colors on the spreadwing.