Perched Eastern Amberwing

Here's an Eastern Amberwing dragonfly perched on a (suspected milkweed) wildflower. I've presented these dragonflies before; this one was in an interesting location. These dragonflies are small and stubby enough that entomologists think they qualify as wasp mimics. If so, this dragonfly using flowers as a perch only increases her - the color/pattern implies a female - wasp-like appearance: "No dragonflies here. Just pollinating wasps like me.". In actuality, she's not interested in pollen/nectar; she's looking to make a meal of a small insect.

I've read that leaves and twigs are the most popular perches for Eastern Amberwings, so I don't think she landed on the flower in order to look more like a wasp. I suspect this is just a happy accident on her part. 

July 14, 2021 at Duke Farms
Photo 148187488, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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