One version of courtship in the insect world…

A pair of damselflies, “she” is on the left and “he” is on the right. They landed on my hand before I even pushed away from the dock to row!

I *thought* this would be a pair of “Blue-fronted Dancers” (“Argia apicalis”), but one member at BugGuide commented that “the thoracic pattern doesn't fit A. apicalis very well.”

ID’ed at BugGuide as “Slender Bluet” or “Enallagma traviatum”, http://bugguide.net/node/view/952600

What I think I have captured in this image is the stage of the process at which “he” has chosen “her.” If she “accepts,” her abdomen will curl around to him and their “tandem linkage” will look heart-shaped. I suspect there are images of this in 365. If not, go over to BugGuide!

I guessed there would be one on 365; see lucypics’ post,
http://365project.org/lucypics/365/2014-05-25
Gah! Account removed!

[Photo taken with Nikon AW110 at 37°39'56.87"N, 89°16'16.78"W on Cedar Lake.]

1 year ago (“‘Geranium’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-07-02
2 years ago (“Sharing the wealth”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-02
3 years ago (“Ouch!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-07-02

[ DSCN2705S112x60tm ]

[Thom Mitchell]

@lucypics Thanks for having an example of the heart-shaped "arrangement"!

[Danette Thompson]

Interesting to see the different stages. I had seen the heart shaped ones.

[Vicki Dixon]

what I want to know is how did you get them to land on your hand??? impressive shot!

[Rick Schies]

How cool. Great close-up Thom

[Kate Klinck]

hehe, very cool!!

[Thom Mitchell]

@vickisfotos They were obviously "in a hurry," and my hand had a vacancy! ;)

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Your hand had a vacancy! Haha! This is priceless! Fav

[Thom Mitchell]

@digitalrn Thank you, Rick! Done with my point-and-shoot in macro mode!

@espyetta For those curious about ID'ing, this pair is giving the damselfly experts at BugGuide some difficulties!

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta Oh, and thanks for the FAV, MB!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@rhoing Really? Oh wow! Let us know when they find out!

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum)
(I am so far behind after being out-of-town for more than a week!)

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@rhoing "slender" eh? Not "Skinny" But "slender." hee hee Thanks for the info. Do not sweat being "behind." You can do it.