In this area of Pennsylvania another early flight season damselfly is the Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta). They can be seen even in my yard as early as May and into September. In southern climes they can be seen year round. They are a little larger than most damsels. The species name moesta means sorrowful  and may refer to customs (such as those on Ash Wednesday) of dusting oneself with ashes to express sorrow or mourning.
Males have a blue tip (S9-10)at the end of the abdomen. Immature males are tan to dark brown, turning darker blue with age and becoming almost completely whitish (pruinose - covered in a gray waxy substance) at maturity.
Females come in blue and brown forms based on the color of the thorax.
First is an immature male Powdered Dancer.

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) Imm. Male by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Next shot is a pruinose mature male.

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

Another mature male.

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

Again, females come in brown and blue forms.

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) Imm. ♀ by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) ♀ Blue form by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

While surveying a small river in rural Florida last year I came across this poor Powdered Dancer in the grips of an Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis).

Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis) with a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

One last shot is a female Eastern Pondhawk completing the circle of life having a Powdered Dancer in her jaws.

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) F and a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed this set. Dragonflies are emerging now. More Odonates to come!
>i< Doc

In this area of Pennsylvania another early flight season damselfly is the Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta). They can be seen even in my yard as early as May and into September. In southern climes they can be seen year round. They are a little larger than most damsels. The species name moesta means sorrowful  and may refer to customs (such as those on Ash Wednesday) of dusting oneself with ashes to express sorrow or mourning.
Males have a blue tip (S9-10)at the end of the abdomen. Immature males are tan to dark brown, turning darker blue with age and becoming almost completely whitish (pruinose - covered in a gray waxy substance) at maturity.
Females come in blue and brown forms based on the color of the thorax.
First is an immature male Powdered Dancer.

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) Imm. Male by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Next shot is a pruinose mature male.

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

Another mature male.

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

Again, females come in brown and blue forms.

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) Imm. ♀ by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) ♀ Blue form by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

While surveying a small river in rural Florida last year I came across this poor Powdered Dancer in the grips of an Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis).

Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis) with a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

One last shot is a female Eastern Pondhawk completing the circle of life having a Powdered Dancer in her jaws.

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) F and a Powdered Dancer by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed this set. Dragonflies are emerging now. More Odonates to come!
>i< Doc