About Ladona julia (Uhler, 1857)
The chalk-fronted corporal, scientifically known as Ladona julia (Uhler, 1857), is a species of skimmer dragonfly that occurs in the northern United States and southern Canada. Juveniles of both sexes share the same coloration: they are light reddish brown, with white stripes on their shoulders and a black stripe running down the center of the abdomen. As individuals mature, their coloration changes differently between males and females. Mature males develop a white powdery pruinescence on the top of the thorax and at the base of the abdomen, while the remaining portion of the abdomen turns solid black. Mature females become almost entirely uniformly dark brown, with a light dusting of gray pruinescence near the base of the abdomen; a small number of mature females develop the same color pattern seen in mature males. Chalk-fronted corporals most often perch horizontally on the ground or on floating objects in the water, and will fly upward to capture prey from the air. Compared to most other dragonflies, this species is gregarious, and individuals are commonly found perching in groups. They will readily approach humans, to feed on the mosquitoes and biting flies that are attracted to human presence.
