Adela septentrionella - female

Female Adela septentrionella perched on Ocean Spray flower buds, Literally watching a male mating swarm from about 3 meters away. The orange hairdo characteristic of females may function to keep them from being attacked when they fly into a male mating swarm and perform evasive flight. The males with the most energy, skill, and least damaged wings are most likely to catch her. Matings occur on the leaves right below the swarm without harassment by other males present. Photo by Paul J. Watson.