Celithemis elisa

(Hagen, 1861)

Calico Pennant

Celithemis elisa, commonly known as the calico pennant, is a in the to eastern North America. are small to -sized (24–34 mm body length) with distinctive spots at the bases and tips. The species inhabits calm freshwater bodies with emergent vegetation and exhibits spatial partitioning of perching microhabitats when co-occurring with .

Celithemis elisa by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Celithemis elisa 311651452 by Brady Reed. Used under a CC0 license.

Female Calico Pennant - Celithemis elisa (5866793895) by Wayne National Forest. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Celithemis elisa: //sɛ.lɪˈθi.mɪs ɛˈliː.sə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar Celithemis by the spots at bases and tips combined with intermediate body size. C. fasciata is larger with different patterning; C. ornata is smaller. Perches at intermediate heights when with these . color ( in young, red in old) and color (yellow to red in older males) provide additional cues.

Images

Appearance

Body length 24–34 mm; length 25–30 mm. with spots at bases and tips. in younger individuals, red in older. yellow, turning red in older males. yellow-brown with large dark stripe and several smaller brown stripes. dark with paler markings.

Habitat

Calm freshwater bodies surrounded by vegetation, including ponds and lakes with emergent vegetation providing perching substrates

Distribution

Eastern Canada and eastern United States

Seasonality

active May to July based on observation records from South Carolina; likely broader season across range

Behavior

Perches on vegetation at heights intermediate between (lower than C. ornata, higher than C. fasciata), suggesting spatial partitioning of perching microhabitats that may reduce . Males engage in aggressive interactions with and congeners.

Similar Taxa

Celithemis fasciataLarger body size; perches lower and closer to water; different patterning
Celithemis ornataSmaller body size; perches higher; different patterning

More Details

Competitive interactions

When co-occurring with C. fasciata and C. ornata, C. elisa occupies an intermediate position in a size-dependent competitive hierarchy for perch selection. This spatial partitioning may facilitate coexistence among these ecologically similar .