Species Spotlight: Western Pondhawk

The next species in our spotlight is the Western Pondhawk—a common dragonfly all up and down the Pacific coast. It's range extends eastward into Texas in the southern part of the USA.

Mature males of this species are a wonderful powder blue color—though they start off life a brilliant green. With age they turn blue from the tip of the abdomen forward. Females also start off green, but they retain their green color for life, making them the only mature green dragonfly on the Pacific coast.



This dragonfly loves to perch on the ground—which it almost always does unless the ground is covered with vegetation. It also seems to specialize in eating damselflies; at least, when I see them eating prey, it's usually a damselfly.



Also, be sure to look for the "Groucho Marx" mustache on the face of this species. It's quite distinctive, and is often seen on females as well!

For more information, see Common Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Pacific Coast:

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