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Post by trehopr1 on Jul 13, 2021 10:48:24 GMT -8
The Halloween Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis eponina) is a delightfully colored/patterned (medium sized) species of skimmer/percher dragonfly. Its widespread occurence throughout eastern North America, including Ontario in Canada makes it a creature something "rather special" to keep an eye out for... These lovely aerialists are the size of a Red Admiral or Painted Lady butterfly. They perch a lot on the tall grasses or weeds of many an open field. They love the bright sun- shine and appear as an amber "haze" against the green background. Like all dragonflies they are alert, active, and light for only brief periods; where as a "small game hunter" you stand any chance of perhaps catching them or photographing them.  Sorry for the somewhat poor lighting ! Their bodies are not this dark (amber colored) with patterns on the abdomen. Having just returned from a 2 day collecting trip I simply could not resist posting this outstanding species for all to see. It is but, one of the highlights of a mid-summers walk- about through a refreshing green field of alfalfa/clover. |
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 13, 2021 10:54:40 GMT -8
Saw a bunch today. Wasn’t someone Asking for these last year, after the season ended?
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Post by trehopr1 on Jul 13, 2021 11:43:13 GMT -8
Indeed, someone was inquiring where or how to get this species. They may have been from Canada ?
This species is an attractive and bold dragonfly to encounter where they may be found.
Eastern North America is certainly graced with a plethora of dragonfly species. If you are someone with a penchant for them then this one would surely rank as one of those must have species !
Though it is widespread in it's range; there are many places where you will not see/find it.
I spied at least four other species of dragonfly in the same field where I caught these but, it was this one that was the standout and worth the bother of (taking time away from butterflies) to catch.
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Post by 58chevy on Jul 14, 2021 7:59:19 GMT -8
My favorite dragonfly. It's one of the few N. American species where the entire wing area contains color. You mentioned that the ones pictured were the size of a red admiral or painted lady. I'll bet they're probably bigger than that, unless you have really big red admirals where you live. Would you please measure the wingspan?
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jul 14, 2021 10:47:02 GMT -8
The Halloween Pennant is a species that I frequently see here in North TX. One that I've encountered far less often however, is the Swamp Darner ( Epiaeschna heros), which is absolutely huge -  I've only ever seen two of these, and amazingly, was able to capture both. |
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Post by trehopr1 on Jul 14, 2021 10:49:48 GMT -8
Now that is indeed an astute observation 58Chevy regarding the entire wing color. I applaud your observation skills !
I must say that you, Paul k, and Kevink all possess amazing and accurate eyesight (for details) that many of us lack.
I have been impressed time and again AND I nearly always learn something from it (as I have from your statement).
I am on my way to work right now so, tonight when I get home I will make measurements of the wing expanse that you have requested.
Thank you for your interest in this thread !
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Post by trehopr1 on Jul 14, 2021 11:28:56 GMT -8
That is a stunning dragonfly photograph livingplanet3 !
I too have only rarely encountered one of these swamp darner species (as there are several). They are at least the size of the common green darner but, perhaps even slightly larger.
In my region, I typically only encounter one every two or three years in my field excursions. Usually, they scare the bejesus out of me in a minute as they are usually resting and well camouflaged when I approach.
I only actually netted but one specimen once when I was 14 or 15 years old. I truly prized it as a specimen however, the ill-fitting lid of a cigar box which I had it stored in allowed a dermestid to get in (a couple of years later) and it got fairly well damaged and was eventually tossed.
Though it was a tough lesson to learn it prompted me to start buying better containment for my treasured specimens. Lockdown style tupperware with foam boards in the bottom served me well until my mid-20s when I then had the money to start buying drawers.
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Post by yellowfin2na on Jul 14, 2021 12:41:34 GMT -8
Is there a dragonfly that looks similar to the Halloween Pennant? If not then I literally have hundreds of them on my property. We caught so many that the kids started to go out of their way to catch a different species of dragonfly.
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Post by livingplanet3 on Jul 14, 2021 13:07:58 GMT -8
Is there a dragonfly that looks similar to the Halloween Pennant? If not then I literally have hundreds of them on my property. We caught so many that the kids started to go out of their way to catch a different species of dragonfly. There are a number of different pennant dragonflies in North America - bugguide.net/node/view/523Another genus with tinted wings are the amberwings, which are much smaller than most dragonflies - bugguide.net/node/view/547 |
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Post by 58chevy on Jul 14, 2021 13:10:28 GMT -8
I know of a couple of smaller dragonflies that look similar, but the Halloween Pennant is considerably larger and pretty distinct. The smaller species are the Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata) and the Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera). Here is a great dragonfly link: www.odonatacentral.org/#/ |
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Post by yellowfin2na on Jul 14, 2021 13:20:02 GMT -8
Is there a dragonfly that looks similar to the Halloween Pennant? If not then I literally have hundreds of them on my property. We caught so many that the kids started to go out of their way to catch a different species of dragonfly. There are a number of different pennant dragonflies in North America - bugguide.net/node/view/523Another genus with tinted wings are the amberwings, which are much smaller than most dragonflies - bugguide.net/node/view/547Thanks for the replies. Now I am really interested. When I get home I will catch a few and post pictures to verify what they are. |
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Post by yellowfin2na on Jul 14, 2021 16:21:23 GMT -8
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Post by kevinkk on Jul 14, 2021 17:01:30 GMT -8
Now that is indeed an astute observation 58Chevy regarding the entire wing color. I applaud your observation skills ! I must say that you, Paul k, and Kevink all possess amazing and accurate eyesight (for details) that many of us lack. I have been impressed time and again AND I nearly always learn something from it (as I have from your statement). I am on my way to work right now so, tonight when I get home I will make measurements of the wing expanse that you have requested. Thank you for your interest in this thread ! I've enjoyed this thread, here in Oregon, the largest dragonfly I know of is the Blue Darner, dragonflies are a lot of fun to watch too, even being somewhat far from freshwater, we have them patrolling around in the late summer, caught many as a kid, one time with my hands, hard to sneak up on these guys, there was a swamp behind the house, and I'd catch the nymphs as well, also hard to catch. Thanks for the thread, it reminded me I've got a book of Oregon dragonflies and damsels (kerst and gordon), apparently we have 63 species here of dragonflies and 28 damsels. The best damsel I've seen is the river jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis, I saw them kayaking on the Siletz, very hard to use a net in the boat, I keep meaning to go back and try and net a couple. |
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 14, 2021 17:24:31 GMT -8
Our pennants are much smaller than that shown!
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Post by boghaunter1 on Jul 15, 2021 12:30:13 GMT -8
Great photos of beautiful odes guys!.... pity I don't get any spp. that nice up here in Sask., Canada. Nicest sp. I have collected a few times, when they fly up & establish temporary colonies, is the Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella). Also a number of the Common Green Darner (Anax junius) in years past. Keep the photos coming...
John K.
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