Green Nature

Marl Pennant

picture of a female Marl Pennant dragonfly

Larger than a dragonlet and smaller than a typical skimmer, the Marl Pennant (Macrodiplax balteata) is a medium sized, mostly tropical and subtropical species.

It's the sole representative of the Macrodiplax genus in the United States, and can be found along the southern boundary states in and around marl (limestone and sandy) water and/or brackish water.

Males have a nondescript dark body and clear wings with small dark patches on the inner sides. The top picture shows a female.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels