Calico Pennant

The calico pennant is one of the brightest and easily distinguishable dragonflies in this area. Mature males are red and black with the signature heart shape spots running down the abdomen, above. Females and immature males are yellow and black with the top spots more of a triangle shape then a heart shape, below. They are found through out much of eastern and central North America. Like most skippers they are usually found around slow moving water such as ponds and marshes. They often perch horizontally off of a branch or blade of grass making them appear like a flag or pennant bowing in the wind. Males are not territorial and often perch on the shore of a pond waiting for females.