Camera Critter #81

A little more than a month ago, I was wandering one of my favorite places when I came across a spreadwing. I made a number of images of the odonata and when it flew away, thanked it and continued on my way.

That evening, I worked on post processing the image and when I finished, put it aside while I worked on the other images of the day. A couple of days later, I began trying to identify the critter.

My first thought on its ID was that of a Northern Spreadwing. I still believe the creature is a of that species. However, a week later, I was in the same area and again noticed a spreadwing flying about.

After making a number of images of it, I moved on and later that evening, processed the images. When I looked at the shots of the spreadwing, I thought, "It must be the same Northern Spreadwing."

But the other day while looking at the images again, I began to notice slight differences. In the second image, at the bottom of the main portion of the body, there is one large and one small dark spot. Those spots are not present on the body of the critter in the first image.

Looking closer at the two, I saw that along the portion of the leading edge of the wing, one of the bugs has a single vein producing two large long cells. The other bug has two veins, dividing that same portion of the wing into two large cells and one central smaller cell.

I knew then that I was looking at two different species of female spreadwings. One is the Northern Spreadwing and the other a Spotted Spreadwing.

Northern Spreadwing

Spotted Spreadwing

Had I not started to look closer at the two creatures, I might have never realized they were in fact, two different species. As much as I think I know, I am still learning every day.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!