Diet

• Erythemis vesiculosa is a voracious aerial predator. Adults take a wide variety of flying insects, including other dragonflies and butterflies, sometimes capturing prey nearly as large as themselves. The aquatic larvae are also predators of small aquatic animals and insect larvae.

Range

• The Great Pondhawk has a broad Neotropical distribution, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America to Argentina.

• It is widespread in Mexico, including Guerrero, Jalisco, Colima, Oaxaca and other states. Its documented occurrence in Guerrero makes it appropriate for the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• Erythemis vesiculosa favours still or slow-moving freshwater, especially marshy ponds, temporary ponds, small lakes and quiet sections of streams. It is particularly associated with open water bordered by emergent vegetation.

• It can also travel considerable distances from water and may be encountered in open woodland, forest edges and other sunny areas. Around Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes vegetated ponds, seasonal pools, marshes and slow-moving water within tropical dry forest and surrounding scrub.

Description

• Erythemis vesiculosa is the largest species in the genus Erythemis and one of the larger North American libellulid dragonflies. Its body can approach 70 mm in length.

• Mature males are strikingly bright green, with green eyes, face and thorax. The abdomen is green with conspicuous dark bands, particularly across the middle and posterior segments.

• The first abdominal segments are somewhat enlarged or swollen, giving the species its scientific name, vesiculosa, referring to a small blister or bladder-like form.

• The wings are generally clear, and the abdomen is noticeably long and slender for a pondhawk. Females and immature individuals are generally less intensely coloured but retain the characteristic green body and dark abdominal markings.