CLOSED: Some kind of clearwing?

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CatMint20906 Silver Spring, MD(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

This guy fluttered through my garden today. Anyone know what it might be?

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greenthumb99 Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

Believe it is a Libellula pulchella - Twelve-spotted Skimmer.

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jul 03, 2015

I believe that it more likely is a female common whitetail, Plathemis lydia - see http://www.cirrusimage.com/dragonfly_common_whitetail.htm
Their wing patterns are very similar; the main distinguishing field mark is the pattern of pale marks on the sides of the abdomen...

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CatMint20906 Silver Spring, MD(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

wow, thanks, Flapdoodle and Greenthumb! You're right--they sure do look similar, but those pale marks on the side of the abdomen would seem to be diagnostic.

thanks so much to both of you!!

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greenthumb99 Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

Flapdoodle, thanks for the correction. I'll have to go back and change the labels on some of my photos, and my insect journal. Very helpful.

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greenthumb99 Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

Just to be sure Flapdoodle, would you confirm the ID of this specimen?

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jul 03, 2015

Yes, that looks like a female common whitetail to me...

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greenthumb99 Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a) Jul 03, 2015

Thank you.

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CatMint20906 Silver Spring, MD(Zone 7a) Jul 04, 2015

well, I'm hoping that if it's a female, then she'll lay lots of eggs and I'll have others fluttering through my yard! :-)

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