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Dragonfly Color
What color is your dragon? More important, what is the pattern of the color
- see the other pages of this section for more on patterns.
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These beautiful rose-colored skimmers are actually two different species,
Roseate Skimmer on the left and Carmine Skimmer on the right
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While the color of your dragonfly is important, it may not be as significant as
you think. Certainly a bright red or orange color will narrow down your choices,
but many variations occur.
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Many species change color as they mature, or may vary as the temperature changes.
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Females may be differently colored from males.
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All dragonflies emerge with barely any color, although hints of the adult pattern
may be visible.
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Many young males are colored much the same as females at first.
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Some species become pruinose, with a blue or whitish powdery bloom that may
cover parts of the body, obscuring the background pattern and color.
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Additionally, as some species age, they may darken overall, further obscuring
the diagnostic markings.
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The temperature can alter the color of your insect, darkening it in cooler weather.
Blue spots and stripes can fade to purple or gray and green may in fact look almost
blue on a cool autumn morning.
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These odes, often called Blue Clearwing and Green Clearwing in older literature,
are actually the male and female of the Eastern Pondhawk
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We have included some information on typical color patterns in our
Family Guide pages.
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