Visual Key: Back of Eye Shape

We’re homing in. Choices can be further limited by noting the shape of the rear edge of the eye:

… is the rear edge of the eye reasonably smooth or is there a notch?

Is the rear edge notched?

rear edge is smooth.

OR, if the eye detail cannot be seen …

Those dragonflies with a notched rear edge to the eye are the Emerald Dragonflies whose main body colour is a variation on metallic green, ranging from a vivid green to almost black.

The green body colour holds throughout adult life so we can safely switch to colour mode for those. [Note, however, that the eye colour IS variable with age starting beige and only maturing to green.]

Body is metallic green

Body colour is NOT metallic green.

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