53/100

So named because the male has what looks like a stinger (but isn't), Overall quite a fascinating insect.

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198/366
Flickr Lounge: enjoy

Feeding on bee balm. View large for more detail. Taken with the Raynox 250.

Tags:   Peck's skipper skipper bee balm butterfly insect 366: The 2020 Edition 366:2020 Day 198/366 16-Jul-2020

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97/100
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CC: photographer's choice
Flickr Lounge: They Come in Twos

I have long wanted a good photo of this, and this lovely pair cooperated with good lighting and a good background. I don't know the species--there are too many similar ones and I'm not an expert, though I did look them up in my "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East" and it looks like some variety of bluet. Southern Indiana. I find it interesting how she has her legs tucked up against her body and simply lets him supports them both.

For those who aren't familiar with how dragonflies and damselflies mate, it's really quite fascinating. Before mating, the male transfers his sperm to a special receptacle in one of the segments of his abdomen. When he finds a female, he clasps her by the neck (she has a special place for that hold), and if she is receptive, she moves her abdomen forward to complete the loop and collect his sperm. After mating, some species separate and go their own way, and in others the male continues to hold onto the female until she lays her eggs so that no other male can come and get her.

Tags:   366: The 2020 Edition 366:2020 Day 181/366 29-Jun-2020

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Flickr Lounge: summertime

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