EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

9-15 October 2017

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Vivid Dancer

Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida), Family Coenagrionidae
Middle Fork John Day River, Oregon

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  Indeed, the name of this damselfly describes it well.  

This is a "vivid dancer," a common visitor to springs and small streams of western U.S.  I photographed these individuals along the Middle Fork of the John Day River in eastern Oregon, where they are found from May to early October.  


Below is shown a male (blue) and female (brown) mating.  They mate away from water, and remain coupled for several hours.

 

Information:
   Kerst, C., and S. Gordon. 2011. Dragonflies and damselflies of Oregon. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. 304 pp.
  

    

Next week's picture:  World Within Worlds

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