Obelisk posture

The obelisk posture is a handstand-like position that some dragonflies and damselflies assume to prevent overheating on sunny days.

This behavior can be demonstrated in the laboratory by heating captive blue dashers with a 250 watt lamp, and has been shown to be effective in stopping or slowing the rise in their body temperature.

[1] Some species, including the dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus), reduce exposure to the sun by perching with the abdomen pointed downward, rather than upward.

While flying, some saddlebags gliders (genus Tramea) lower their abdomens into the shade provided by dark patches at the bases of their hindwings.

Dragonflies may position their wings to reflect sun onto themselves, or, if they are perched on a warm surface, to form a "greenhouse" over the thorax.