Perithemis tenera

Male Perithemis tenera are easily recognized by their solid amber-colored wings and vibrant orange bodies, while females have clearer wings with darker bands or spots across them. Females also tend to have more brownish or patterned bodies compared to the uniform orange of males. This sexual dimorphism is one of the most pronounced among North American dragonfly species.

Perithemis tenera is one of the smallest dragonflies in North America, with a total body length of only about 20 to 25 millimeters and a wingspan of roughly 35 to 40 millimeters. Its diminutive size makes it easy to mistake for a damselfly or a wasp at first glance. It belongs to the skimmer family Libellulidae, which includes many larger and more familiar dragonfly species.

The eastern amberwing is found across the eastern and central United States, ranging from southern New England west to the Great Plains and south to Florida and Texas. It prefers still or slow-moving bodies of water such as ponds, marshes, lake margins, and quiet stream edges. Males are often seen patrolling low over the water surface near emergent vegetation.

The amber wing coloration in male Perithemis tenera is thought to play a role in species recognition and sexual signaling during territorial and courtship displays. The warm orange-amber pigmentation is visible from a distance as males patrol low over ponds. Some researchers have also suggested it may provide a degree of visual similarity to wasps, offering a passive defense against predation.