Eastern amberwing

The eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is very small, reaching a total length of no more than 25 millimetres (0.98 in). The males have orange or amber wings, which likely contain pheomelanin.^[6] Both sexes have a red pterostigma.^[7] It is found in eastern North America, from northern Mexico north to south-eastern Canada.^[3][4]

Phylum:Arthropoda

Class:Insecta

Order:Odonata

Infraorder:Anisoptera

Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...

Eastern amberwing
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Perithemis
Species:	P. tenera
Binomial name
Perithemis tenera (Say, 1840) [2]
Range of P. tenera[3][4]
Synonyms[5]
List Libellula tenuicincta Say, 1840 Libellula chlora Rambur, 1842 Perithemis cloe Hagen, 1861 (nomen nudum) Perithemis mooma Kirby, 1889 Perithemis domitia seminole Calvert, 1907 Perithemis mooma octoxantha Ris, 1910 Perithemis piperi Hoffmann, 1987

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The eastern amberwing dragonfly is one of the only types of dragonfly that actively mimics a wasp. The yellow and brown stripes on its abdomen encourage predators to stay away. When perched, they wiggle their abdomen and wings in a wasp-like fashion to deter other animals from eating it. Males have an elaborate courtship ritual. When a female approaches his territory, the male will lead her to his selected egg-laying site and hover above it with wings whirring and abdomen raised.^[8]

The common name refers to its eastern range, although this dragonfly does extend westward well into the central part of the United States. The scientific name, tenera, means delicate and alludes to its small size.^[9]