docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I went to a Fish Commission access on the Conestoga River near Millersville, PA. It was really hot and I only lasted two hours. Amazingly I did not see one dragonfly of any species. I was however surprised by finding American Rubyspot (Heterina americana) damsels along the shore. When I lived in Berks County, PA we had one official sighting back in 2009. This species is known to frequent areas where American water willow (Justicia americana) can be found in flowing stream habitats. I had asked a friend botanist who told me that Water Willow not been seen in the Schuylkill River for years.
Below are examples of male and female American Rubyspots.

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) F by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Another damselfly in very good numbers was the Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta). This is a larger sized damsel that becomes pruinose (powered) as it matures. The immature females can be morphologically different colors. When mature and pruinose, they are our only black and white damselflies. Below are female blue form, brown form and pruinose in mating tandem.

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) F Brown Form by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) F Blue Form by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) Tandem by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Hoping for some relief from this heat we are all suffering under. Hope you enjoyed these and have a wonderful day
>i< Doc

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Great finds, Doc. It is really hot here, too. I have been staying indoors mostly.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks Ken. It's going to get worse here through Sunday. As they said in Hill Street Blues, "Hey, let's be careful out there!"
>i< Doc

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

tcthome Loc: NJ

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set Doc.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I appreciate the thumbs up.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for the thumbs up Tom.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Hi Jim! Thanks for looking in and the fine comment. Have a great day.
>i< Doc

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Another excellent set Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for the encouragement Frank.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I really appreciate that Jack. Thanls for looking in and the fine comment.
>i< Doc

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Thanks for another great lesson Doc!

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks Dave. The Rubyspots are a beautiful species. This was my first trip down to the river since moving here and I really expected to see some great dragons. Wow, not even a Blue Dasher!
>i< Doc