Tawny Pennant
Brachymesia herbida
This record describes Brachymesia herbida (species). Recorded family: Libellulidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to female or immature B. gravida, but face is tan rather than dark, and stigmata are tan rather than white, and wing spots are much more diffuse. A vagrant in the US, though may have bred in the Florida Keys in 1997.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Libellulidae (Skimmers)
- Genus
- Brachymesia (Pennants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Stagnant vegetated waters, including brackish habitats
Geographic Range
Texas (widely scattered records) and Florida Keys south through Argentina, plus the West Indies and Galapagos
Seasonal Activity
Summer in Texas; flies all year in tropics
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Brachymesia herbida. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Tawny Pennant (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose
Frequently Asked Questions About Tawny Pennant
What is Tawny Pennant?
Tawny Pennant (Brachymesia herbida) is a species in the family Libellulidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Tawny Pennant?
Similar to female or immature B. gravida, but face is tan rather than dark, and stigmata are tan rather than white, and wing spots are much more diffuse.
Where is Tawny Pennant found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Stagnant vegetated waters, including brackish habitats |
| Range | Texas (widely scattered records) and Florida Keys south through Argentina, plus the West Indies and Galapagos |
When is Tawny Pennant active?
Tawny Pennant: seasonal activity - Summer in Texas; flies all year in tropics.