Indeed: Probably more to the point:
Can this be a M & F of the same species? I think that is the question.
Which raises the question about sexual dimorphism in dragonflies. I was pretty sure that this is well established, as I have seen the mating flights of several
dragonflies. So I did a quick search and your photos look a lot like the ones in this website and relevant text copied here, apparently from USA, although I can’t in any way suggest it is the same species : “The
male and female Blue Dasher dragonflies (Pachydiplax longipennis) are so different in their markings and coloration that they can easily be mistaken for separate species”
https://nicksnaturepics.wordpress.com/tag/sexual-dimorphism-in-dragonflies/
also
https://thedragonflywoman.com/2009/09/17/polymorphisms/
Philip
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Thursday, 5 January, 2017 1:45 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Return of the Dragon
Can this be a M & F? Smallish dflies, about same size, in woodland near Shepherd’s Lookout:
