Band-winged dragonlet

Appearance

Mature males are olivaceous with a broad stripe in the wings extending between the nodus and pterostigma. Males become pruinose, but the cerci remain pale. The wing band becomes progressively darker with age. Females may be similar to the male, but with a paler, reduced stripe in each wing that does not reach the pterostigma. Other, generally more common, females lack a prominent wing band, but have dark wingtips. Young individuals of both sexes have pale rectangular spots laterally on the abdomen. Occasionally the hindwing may be amber or brown basally.
Total length: 38-47 mm; abdomen: 23-34 mm; hindwing: 25-34 mm.

Distribution

Florida and Texas south throughout Central America south to Argentina; occasional stray to eastern U.S.

Behavior

This species will occasionally roost in large numbers on the branches of trees with their wings characteristically depressed below the body. Males guard females during egg laying like other members of this genus and will patrol around ponds.

Habitat

Permanent and temporary marshy ponds, pools and lakes.