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Dragonfly Sexual Differences
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Note the color differences between this mature male Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (left)
and a young female (right) This is typical of many clubtails, with the female
having more extensive light colored areas and younger odes being bright yellow,
a color which later fades to dull green.
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Some species are sexually "dimorphic" meaning the sexes differ considerably
in appearance. But many species have only subtle differences between the sexes.
MALE:
- Generally brighter in coloration than female, except in Clubtails.
- Male Skimmers are often brightly colored in red, yellow, blue or orange
- Has a slender abdomen with 3 terminal appendages - 2 upper and 1 lower.
- No ovipositor or bump under segments 8 or 9.
- Ventral projections on abdominal segment 2, the male secondary genitalia.
- Males of some families have a cutout on the inner edge of the hindwing.
FEMALE:
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Generally females are larger than males
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Clubtail females are frequently brighter than males with more prominent yellow markings
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Female Skimmers may be cryptically colored in shades of brown or may show paler
versions of the male color.
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Has a wider abdomen with 2 terminal appendages.
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There may be an ovipositor or bump under segment 8 & 9.
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Ventral side of segment 2 is smooth without secondary genitalia.
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In species with an abdominal club, the club is usually smaller in females.
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