Family: Libellulidae
Length: typically 33-35 mm
Of all the Pennants in eastern North America, Celithemis fasciata is the only one with a dark abdomen plus extensive dark markings on the wings.
While the wing markings vary from individual to individual, they typically include: dark wingtips, dark basal bars along the leading edges, round basal spots on the hind wing, and a spot between the nodus and stigma of each forewing.
Females and immature males are similar to the mature males, but have yellow abdominal spots on the dorsum of S3-S7. These spots fade with age. Females and immature males are also more likely to have clear wingtips, and yellowish venation near the wings bases.
Banded Pennants may be found at bodies of water ranging from ponds to large lakes.
Males dont defend territories, but do perch near the water, typically on shrubs and bushes. Oviposition is accomplished in tandem, with the female tapping her abdomen into the water and releasing the eggs.
Summers County provided the first West Virginia record of the Banded Pennant; the species is seldom encountered in the Mountain State.
