The Smoky Shadowdragon has a total length of about 1.9 inches. It has a brownish body with yellow spots on the side of the thorax. There is a row of small brown spots on the forewing from the base to the nodus. The hindwing has a row of darker brown spots which are also a little larger. There are no brown spots on the postnodus cross veins. The edge of both wings beyond the stigma is yellowish around the curve of the wing. There is a larger dark spot at the base of the hindwing. The stigma is a light tan color. The eyes are pale tan with yellow markings at the rear. The legs are light-colored. Females and males have the same coloration.
This dragonfly is uncommon throughout its range. There is one other record of an adult in Nebraska and 2 records of larvae. The individual shown here was photographed on June 1, 2016 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. It was seen hanging from the ceiling of the elevated walkway in the early morning. Presumably it had come to hunt insects attracted by lights on the building the night before. Adults fly in June in Nebraska. Its range is the eastern U.S. from Minnesota and Ohio to Texas, Louisiana and northwestern Florida.
This dragonfly is uncommon throughout its range. There is one other record of an adult in Nebraska and 2 records of larvae. The individual shown here was photographed on June 1, 2016 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. It was seen hanging from the ceiling of the elevated walkway in the early morning. Presumably it had come to hunt insects attracted by lights on the building the night before. Adults fly in June in Nebraska. Its range is the eastern U.S. from Minnesota and Ohio to Texas, Louisiana and northwestern Florida.
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