Female Calico Pennant

A couple days ago I showed a male Calico Pennant; later in the day I got this picture of a female Calico Pennant. This is yet another species that shows sexual dimorphism, in this case with the coloring clearly distinguishing the males from the females. In some cases this means flashy, colorful males and drab, subdued coloring in the females. While the female Calico Pennants aren't as eye-catching as their red male counterparts, you could argue that the yellowish-gold coloring of the females is also fairly good-looking.

The markings (wing spots, stigmas, thorax/abdomen patterns) are extremely similar between the males and the females; the color difference is the easiest way to tell them apart.

Incidentally, the stigmas (in this case the yellow patch near the end of the wings) weigh more than most of the wing, and can function as a vibration dampener on the fast-flapping wings.

June 17, 2021 at the Plainsboro Preserve
Photo 141958682, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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