Red-faced Dragonlet
Search For More Images
Erythrodiplax fusca
Rambur, 1842
Order Odonata
Suborder Anisoptera
Superfamily Libelluloidea
Family Libellulidae
Genus Erythrodiplax
Species fusca (Rambur, 1842) [Libellula]
Identification
This small species is closely related to Plateau (E. basifusca
) and Little Blue (E. miniscula
) Dragonlets. It can generally be distinguished from these in the field by its predominantly reddish color, including the head, thorax and basal wing spot. The basal wing spot is more prominent in males than in females and generally varies from a faint yellowish wash to a distinct dark reddish spot extending out to the triangle in the hindwing. Young males are yellowish-brown with a dark antehumeral stripe on the thorax and a brown lateral stripe on the abdomen. The yellowish color quickly becomes bright red or brownish in both sexes with age. The abdomen, especially in older males, becomes dark with a light powder blue pruinescence. The cerci are brown. Older males are distinct as they are the only dragonfly with a bright red face and powder blue abdomen in our area.
Size
Total length: 24-28 mm; abdomen: 16-22 mm; hindwing: 19-28 mm.
Similar Species
Mature male Little Blue Dragonlets have a completely blue thorax and abdomen. Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata
) is larger with brown stripes basally in both wings. Similar meadowhawks (Sympetrum
) are generally larger and lack dark abdominal stripes.
Habitat
Marshy swamps, pools, lakes and streams with moderate current and periodic pools.
Discussion
This species is uncommon in the central Texas Hill Country and southward. This species may be seen foraging in open fields or several yards from water. Males perch low on the stems overhanging the water.
Distribution
South Texas and Mexico south to Argentina.
View a Full Map in the Distribution Viewer
