In many dragonfly species the males and females look different, but in some cases there are multiple forms of females. Females that look different from males in markings or coloration are called gynomorphs and females that resemble males are called andromorphs.
This is a male
Rhionaeschna multicolor.
A gynomorph female
Rhionaeschna multicolor.
An andromorph female
Rhionaeschna multicolor. Usually the andromorphs are much less common than the gynomorphs. It is hypothesized that andromorphs are maintained in the populations because they avoid mating harassment from males while attempting to oviposit.
I have noticed that almost every dragonfly I shot portraits of has damage of some kind to the surface of the eyes adjacent to the antennae or the zone where the antennae can contact the eye.
Dragonfly eyes have some distinct zones that are intriguing and there are optical effects and optical illusions that change depending on the optical axis of the viewer. The transition line between distinct upper (larger diameter ommatidia) and lower (smaller diameter ommatidia) portions of the eye may differ between species and to a lesser extent between the sexes.
Focus stacking can capture amazing details, but nothing can compare to the wonderous view of a living dragonfly's eye.
All shot with a Nikon D810 with a 50mm Rodenstock APO enlarging lens reverse mounted on a Nikon PB-4 bellows, Stackshot, Zerene Stacker, and Photoshop.
Steve
