Celithemis elisa
(Hagen, 1861)
Calico Pennant
Libellulidae, Skimmer Family
Status-Global/State:
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is an attractive, strikingly marked species. The males are reddish-brown to black with red-brown marks on its wings that become darker as they age. The female is yellow and black with reddish eyes and black marks on its wings. The length of the body varies from 1.1 to 1.3 inches.
Description of Habitat/Range:
This species is common in eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is usually found at vegetated ponds, lakes, borrow pits, and stream pools with emergent plants or marshy borders. Sometimes they can be found at slow parts of streams or brackish marshes. It is widely, though locally, distributed throughout Wisconsin.
Flight Season:
Mid-May to mid-September in Wisconsin.
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
1%
(3)
(3)
40%
(187)
(187)
43%
(201)
(201)
15%
(70)
(70)
2%
(10)
(10)
Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species.
Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an
exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown
in parentheses.
Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of few data available.
Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of few data available.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Male calico pennant. © Dan Jackson
Male calico pennant. © Dan Jackson
Immature male calico pennant. © Dan Jackson
Teneral male calico pennant. © Dan Jackson
Female calico pennant. © Dan Jackson
Female calico pennant. © Dan Jackson