ELFIN SKIMMER AND DOT-TAILED WHITEFACE
Male Dot-tailed Whiteface. The only place where I have seen this species locally is at Cedar Bog near Urbana. This species is more common in northern Ohio. The Dayton area is actually near the southern limit of its range. Historical records indicate that this species used to be more common in southern Ohio than it is now.
Female Dot-tailed Whiteface. Dot-tailed Whitefaces fly in late spring and early summer.
Female Elfin Skimmers have a wasplike appearance. They might be wasp mimics.
Elfin Skimmers are the smallest dragonflies in North America. You need to look very hard to see these tiny gems. The first time I saw an Elfin Skimmer, I thought it was a "fat" damselfly because it seemed much too small to be a dragonfly!
Another female Elfin Skimmer. These tiny dragonflies can be found at Cedar Bog from late May through July, but only if you have good eyesight!
This Elfin Skimmer was obelisking (pointing his abdomen toward the sun) to reduce body temperature on a hot day. At other times, they usually perch with their wings drooping forward, like the individual above.
This teneral Elfin Skimmer looks dark because he is newly emerged. He has not yet developed the pale blue color of mature individuals.
Elfin Skimmers are classified as an endangered species in Ohio. They live in bogs and fens, and they are found at only a few locations in Ohio. The nearest location is Cedar Bog, Urbana, where this male Elfin Skimmer was photographed.