I found a dragonfly ballerina dancing on a water lily


Water lily is a common name for a small family of aquatic plants. The water lily's scientific family is Nympheaceae of the order Nymphaeales. The representative genus of the family is Nymphaea.

There are about 70 different species of water lilies. These are grouped into: night, tropical and hardy. Night lilies bloom in the night. Tropical lilies can be found in tropical climates and bloom at all times of the day. Hardy lilies are able to withstand most conditions and are the most common.

The water lily has long, stout leaves and long flower stalks. There are usually six petals and six stamen. Water lilies are also able to reproduce by budding. The roots detach and grow into new water lilies. The root of the lily is located in the mud at the bottom of a pond. Many lilies are produced through budding.

------------Thanks to *Wessonnative I now know what kind of ballerina my dragonfly is----------

Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera

Family: Libellulidae, Common Skimmers view all from this family

Description: 3/4-1" (20-24 mm), wingspan to 1 3/4" (45 mm). Mostly yellowish brown. Face yellow; thorax brown; abdomen brownish yellow. Legs yellowish with black spines. Wings amber; male's with brown area 1/3 way to tip, female's with 2 brown crossbands or clouds.

Food: Adult eats small insects. Naiad feeds on small aquatic insects.

Life Cycle: Female, often unattended by mate, flies over water touching surface with tip of abdomen, freeing 10-20 eggs with each dip. Naiads stand up high on slender legs searching for prey. They cling to stumps while transforming to adults. Adults are active from April in Texas to October in South Carolina.

Habitat: Near ponds and slow streams.

Range: Massachusetts to Gulf states, west to Texas and northern Mexico, north to Nebraska.

Discussion: This low-flying skimmer usually flies in sunshine, avoiding other dragonflies. It perches horizontally with fore and hind wings lifted unequally.


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EASTERN AMBERWING (Perithemis tenera)

The Eastern Amberwing is the only species of Perithemis found in the northern part of North America, the majority of species being neotropical.

Once you have recognized the Eastern Amberwing, it is easily identified in the field by its behavior, shape and wing coloration.

The female oviposits alone on the water's surface in pond scum. The larvae often
emerge by climbing stumps rather than vegetation.

Behavior flight is weak; perches near shore and male establishes a territory; flies very low over water and vegetation; female oviposits either in tandem or guarded, depositing an egg mass on sticks or logs on the surface of the water; like the Halloween Pennant and the Blue Dasher, may be observed perched in an "obelisk" stance on hot, sunny days; the "courting" behavior has been well documented
Distribution widespread in U.S. east of Rockies, and Ontario
Habitat ponds and slow streams; tolerates less clean water
Flight Period summer and into early autumn
Notes also found in Europe

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Taken @ Zilker Botanical Gardens