Dragonflies and Butterflies!

Look closely at the Blue Dasher, and you will see many red spots all along the underside. They are likely parasitic mites. It is unclear how much this affects the infested dragonfly, although it will certainly add weight, possibly making flight more difficult.

http://www.dragonfliesnva.com/My%20Documents/KevinPDF/pdf/dragons%20101/Parasites.pdf

Black Saddlebags! One of my favourite dragonflies, and it actually landed to have it's picture taken! Saddlebags perch more vertically than most skimmers. This positioning minimizes the amount of sun that hits the abdomen, avoiding overheating. Black Saddlebags are migrators that join Common Green Darners as they drift along the Atlantic coast and Great Lakes in the spring and fall.

https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/black-saddlebags-dragonfly-family-libellulidae/

Ruby Meadowhawk

Unlike other dragonfly species, male Widow Skimmers leave the female alone by herself as she lays her eggs; thus making her a "widow" in the process! Another reference to the name 'widow' suggests that the dark basal portion of the wings looks like a widow's black shawl.

https://www.lifeoncsgpond.com/widow-skimmer

A Slaty Skimmer rested in the cattails. Tiny leg hairs are visible which are used in flight like a net, to help catch prey.

Butterflies: Lots of colours and sizes at this time of year!

A Dukes Skipper landed on the sweaty hand of a friend recently. When a butterfly lands on you, it is attracted to your sweat which provides minerals and salt to supplement the nectar diet. The black proboscis is visible under the abdomen. While we watched, the butterfly released a drop of liquid from the abdomen, than appeared to lap it up. Perhaps the added liquid made it easier to access the salt.

https://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/nature-blog-network/why-do-butterflies-land-on-you-answered/

The Banded Hairstreak tends to be one of the more common Hairstreaks found in Southern Ontario, but numbers have been quite low in recent years. Most hairstreaks have a short, hair-like "tail" on their hindwing which may play a role in deterring predators or distracting them away from the butterfly's vital body parts.

https://www.worldsfacts.com/35-interesting-facts-about-hairstreak-butterfly/

Eastern-tailed Blue

The Giant Swallowtail is the largest butterfly found in Canada!

Northern Broken-dash

Pearl Crescent

Question Mark - 2 white marks on the underwing form the "loose" shape of a question mark.

Appalachian Brown

Silver-spotted Skipper