Damselflies of the Southwest (Zygoptera)

Damselflies (Zygoptera) of the Southwest




Common Dragonflies of the Southwest,
A Beginner's Pocket Guide.

by Kathy Biggs
Click to enlarge cover and to

see more information about the book. (includes damselflies)

Published May 2004
Updates & corrections 12-2007
use back button to return

DAMSELFLIES
of the Southwest


page #s in on-line guide below refer to the page # for the species in
Common Dragonflies of the Southwest
A Beginner's Pocket Guide

<-- by Kathy Biggs

Dragonflies of North America,
A Color and Learn Book
with Activities

by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis
Click to enlarge cover and to

see more information about the book.

Published June 2007
For children, grandchildren & your inner child!

Click here to join the Southwest Dragonfly discussion group: SoWestOdes

Enter the on-line guide below
Click on image/word to be taken to that kind of Damselfly

page #s refer to page in Common Dragonflies of the Southwest and also in Dragonflies of California and Common Dragonflies of the Southwest
This site is 100% privately maintained. If you've found it helpful, a donation to help keep in on the web would be appreciated, thanks! K. Biggs


Sketch of a damselfly
showing the body parts ...pg. 90
by Barbara Chasteen

DAMSELFLIES - Zygoptera


Slender-bodied, generally smaller and more frail than dragonflies. Most have an eyespot in back of each eye.
When perched, all four wings are usually held together alongside or sail-like over the abdomen.
Eyes set far apart on head, appear hammer headed.
Weak fliers, usually found not too far from water.
males have a bump (genitalia) under their 2nd abdominal segment and four terminal abdominal appendages.
Females have a wide ovipositor on the lower end of their abdomen and only two terminal abdominal appendages.
Damselflies lay their eggs directly into vegetation.
15 SW genera representing 4 of the 5 American families:
1. Pond Damsels - Coenagrionidae
2. Shadowdamsels - Platysticidae
3. Spreadwings - Lestidae
4. Broad-winged Damsels - Calopterygidae

Directions: Click on the image that looks the most like the damselfly you want to learn more about, or just scroll down the page.

Pond Damsels (Coenagrionidae)

Spreadwings (Lestes)

Broadwinged Damsels (Calopterygidae)

Shadowdamsels (Platysticidae)

Pond Damsels: Coenagrionidae


sizes: small to medium; lengths: 20 - 50 mm
males: usually blue and black, a few red, yellow, violet; varying degrees of blue on abdomens; clear wings held alongside or over abdomen when perched, small stigmas
females: abdomen more cylindrical; most tan but some blue
habitats: quite variable, still waters, quiet streams
behaviors: wings held closed when perched; low flying
10 SW genera, totaling 56 species:
1.
American Bluets, Enallagma: most are blue & black patterned; perch on vegetation; wings at rest are held alongside abdomen; tandem oviposit at still water sites
2.Eurasian Bluets, Coenagrion: similar to American Bluets, showing more black
3. Dancers, Argia: most are blue & black patterned, some are lavendar & black, "dancing" flight; perch on ground and/or rocks with wings held closed above abdomen; tandem oviposit in moving waters; territorial wing clapping; long spines on legs
4.Painted Damsel, Hesperagrion: one species; red eyespots & 'tail'
5. Black & White Damsels, Apanisagrion: dark and pale coloring; dense venation on lower margins of wings
6. Red Damsels, Amphiagrion: black and red coloring; small but stocky
7. Firetails, Telebasis: red coloring; small & petite
8. Exclamation Damsel, Zoniagrion: one species; similar to forktails; 2 blue exclamation-like marks top of thorax
9. Forktails, Ischnura: mostly black; blue on thorax & near abdomen tip; perch on emergent vegetation; nontandem oviposit into floating vegetation; resting wing position variable
10. Sprites Nehalennia: metallic green coloration; small & petite

Southwestern distribution maps are based on Western maps originally maintained by Dennis Paulson (pre-2007)


Photo by Bob Claypole

photo of a Bluet swarm
Bluet wing position
female Bluet - non-malelike color form
female Bluet - malelike color form
GENUS: Enallagma The American Bluets - 15 SW species ..pg. 91

description: males are usually bright blue & black patterned; but a few show yellow/orange;
very similar in appearance to Dancers but flight not `dance-like';
wings are held folded down alongside the body, not sail-like over the back as in Dancers;
leg hairs not twice as long as space between them;
eyes often quite black on top unlike dancers which are more often a dark blue color;
the black line on side of thorax often makes a 'jag' or 'elbow' near the head;
females: several color forms: usually tan or gray where male is blue; sometimes colored male-like but usually with much less blue;
have a vulvar spine on segment 8 which Dancers lack
behavior: fly low over the water & grasses along shore;
perch on vegetation with wings slightly drooping at abdomen side;
tandem oviposit at still water sites;
can form swarms over water while ovipositing
habitat: still water with abundant vegetation

Photos
male - CA
pair - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male - NV
male - NV
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
.
Northern Bluet Enallagma annexum formerly cyathigerum ...pg. 92

size: medium, length 29 - 40 mm

male: third segment more than 50% blue; side stripe is undivided with a jag near the front; large blue eyespots; lower appendages longer than uppers. Identify to species by appendages shape using hand lens, see p.98 Com. Drag. Of SW

female: much less blue, or tan and black

habitat: cool still or slow water

SW flight period: April - early November

SW distribution: all SW

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
male - CA
males - CA
males - CA
male - UT
male - UT
males & females - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female - AZ
female - CA
female - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale...pg. 92

size: medium, length 29 - 40 mm

male: third segment more than 50% blue; side stripe is undivided with a jag near the front; large blue eyespots; lower appendages longer than uppers. Identify to species by appendages shape using hand lens, see p.98 Com. Drag. Of SW

female: much less blue, or tan and black

habitat: cool still or slow water

SW flight period: end of March - early November

SW distribution: all SW

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
male - CA
male - UT
male - UT
pair - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
Alkali Bluet Enallagma clausum ...pg. 92


size: medium, length 29 - 40 mm

male: third segment more than 50% blue; side stripe is undivided with a jag near the front; large blue eyespots; lower appendages only a little longer than uppers. Alkali has thin side stripe; found alkali water. Identify by appendages shape using hand lens, see p.98 Com. Drag. Of SW

female: much less blue, or tan and black

habitat: alkaline ponds and lakes

SW flight period: May - September

SW distribution: all SW but AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - Iowa
male - Iowa
info - north east
male & female - Iowa
Scans
male - SD
Hagen's Bluet Enallagma hageni...pg. 155

size: small, length 26 - 33 mm

male: segments 3-8 more blue than black; 3rd segment more than 50% blue; segments 8 & 9 blue; thorax top stripe dark; forked upper appendages

female: pale areas blue or tan; no blue on tail

habitat: marshy lakes & ponds,

SW flight period: ~April - ~September

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - ID
male - Iowa
female
Scans
male
female
Marsh Bluet Enallagma ebrium...pg. 155

size: small, length 20 - 30 mm

male: very small eyespots; segments 3-8 more blue than black; 3rd segment more than 50% blue; segments 8 & 9 blue; thorax top stripe dark; forked upper appendages

female: pale areas blue or tan; no blue on tail

habitat: open lakeshores, ponds, marshes

SW flight period: ~May - ~October

SW distributionB> UT

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
male - NV
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male - AZ
male - CA
teneral male - UT
female
female
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
female - CA
pair - CA
pair in wheel - UT
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
males & females - CA
pair in wheel - NV
Scans
male NM
male CA
male CA
male CA
male AZ
male AZ
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile...pg. 93

size: medium, length 28 - 39 mm

male: markings more blue than black, third segment more than 50% blue; top thorax stripe dark; small comma-shaped eyespots; top appendages longer than lowers, large and finlike with pale "button," appear splayed; see appendage illustrations, p.98. Bluets fly low over water along shoreline.

female: like male or tan and black

habitat: still waters with fields

SW flight period: all year in south

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - NV
male - NV
female - CA
female - CA
pairs+ - CA
multiple images - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
River Bluet Enallagma anna...pg. 94

size: medium, length 29 - 36 mm

male: middle abdominal segments about half-blue from above; appendages slightly forked; uppers noticeably longer than lowers, with the top fork extending well beyond lower appendages and angled downward (without a pale button on end) - noticeable to the naked eye

female: pale areas blue or tan

habitat: slow streams, ditches

SW flight period: April - October

SW distribution: all SW but AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - MX
male - MX
female - AZ
Scans
male - MX
Baja Bluet Enallagma eiseni NEW TO USA

size: medium, length 27 - 34 mm

male: distinctive - middle abdominal segments about equally blue and dark from above;
dark on abdominal segments forms spears which point towards the tail (other bluets' dark areas point towards head);
segments 8 - 10 blue;
large blue eyespots have a connecting blue line;
upper appendages noticeably longer than lowers, noticeable to the naked eye; from above have inward facing 'hooks;'
lower appendages held next to abdomen, appear to be 'missing'

female: pale areas blue or tan, often with greenish cast; patterning similar to male's

habitat: slow streams, pools of desert oases

SW flight period: June - October

SW distribution: VERY RARE; AZ, CA - report & document all sightings

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
female - CA
female - CA
male - UT
teneral male - UT
very teneral male - UT
female - UT
male - NV
male in flight - NV
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
pair - CA
Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum ...pg. 95

size: small/medium, length 26 - 37 mm

male: segments 3-8 more black than blue; 3rd segment more than 50% black; segments 8 & 9 blue; thorax top stripe dark; large pale button tip of upper appendages. See p.98 Com. Drag. Of SW for illustrations of Enallagma appendages.

female: pale areas blue or tan; no blue on tail

habitat: lakes, ponds, streams; especially with tules

SW flight period: February - December

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
male - CA
male - UT
multiple images - CA
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - TX
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum...pg. 95

size: small/medium, length 26 - 37 mm

male: segments 3-8 more black than blue with each segment usually more dark than the preceeding one; 3rd segment usually more than 50% black; segments 8 & 9 blue; thorax top stripe dark; forked upper appendages.
See p.98 for illustrations of Enallagma appendages.

female: pale areas blue or tan; no blue on tail

habitat: lakes, ponds, streams

SW flight period: February - November

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map

Stream Bluet Enallagma exsulans

This species NOT found in Southwest. 2003 report of one in New Mexico not verified

Photos
male - NM
male
multiple images - CA
male - AZ
pair in cop - CA
pair
pair in cop - AZ
male & female - AZ
female - NM
female - NM
female - TX
Scans
male - AZ
female - AZ
male & female - TX
Double-striped Bluet Enallagma basidens...pg. 96

size: small, length 21 - 28 mm

male: thin blue line middle of dark side stripes (doubled); thin blue line middle of top dark thoracic stripe; tiny blue eyespots connected by thin line; blue on segments 8-9, only on sides of segment 10; black appendages

female: like male but paler or tan; segment 10 all pale

habitat: ponds, lakes, ditches

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: CA, CO, AZ, NM, NV

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male & female - AZ
male
multiple images - MX
Scans
Claw-tipped Bluet Enallagma semicirculare...pg. 158

size: small, length 28 - 33 mm

male: coloration mostly pale violet or grayish blue; face violet or blue violet;
large tear-shaped eyespots; blue-green wedge shaped eyespots connected by a thin bar; thoracic shoulder stripe violet or gray-blue; pale areas on abdomen blue-violet or bluish; segments 1-7 black above and yellow- green on sides and below; 1-3 & 8-10 blue; LONG upper appendages

female: like male

habitat: ponds

SW flight period: April - November

SW distribution: AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
multiple images - TX
male - Iowa
males & females - GA
female
Scans
Vesper Bluet Enallagma vesperum...pg. 158

size: medium, length 29 - 38 mm

male: mature's pale coloration yellow or yellow-orange, immature's pale blue or blue-gray; face bright orange; eyes brown above, yellow below; face yellow-orange; thoracic shoulder stripe yellow-orange; abdomen yellow-orange & black

female: like male but paler color usually dull yellow to yellow- green; eyes like males but pale green or yellow below; abdomen yellow below with tan, blue or blue-gray

habitat: small lakes and slow streams with abundant emergent vegetation

behavior: twilight species, known to oviposit after dark!

SW flight period: ~April - ~November

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male & female in cop. - CO
male - Iowa
male & female - Iowa
Scans
Rainbow Bluet Enallagma antennatum...pg. 96

size: small, length 21 - 33 mm

male: slender; orange, green and black coloration makes this species very Forktail-like; face bright orange; blue-green wedge shaped eyespots connected by a thin bar; thorax pale blue-green with orange shoulder stripe; abdominal segments 1-7 black above and yellow-green on sides and below; 1-3 & 8-10 blue

female: head like male but paler color usually yellow-green

habitat: slow streams or lakes near stream inlet or outlet, with abundant emergent vegetation but also gravel pits, ponds

SW flight period: ~May - ~July

SW flight period: CO


Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CO
mulitple images - TX
mulitple images - TX
male - KS
male - GA
pair - GA
mulitple images - MI
Scans
male & female - TX
Orange Bluet Enallagma signatum NEW SPECIES FOR SW 2004

size: small, length 21 - 33 mm

male: slender; orange color (where other bluets are blue) and black coloration makes this species very Forktail-like; face bright orange; thorax orange; abdominal segments 1-8 black above and yellow-green on sides and below; s10 orange; long upper appendages

female: like male but paler color usually yellow-green, s10 dark

habitat: lakes, ponds & slow streams

SW flight period: ~May - August

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Sketches
Bluet appendage sketches
by Rosser Garrison
Bluet appendages Enallagma male appendages...pg. 98
Sometimes it is necessary to have a Bluet in hand and examine its terminal appendages using a hand lens to make a final identification. Side and 45% views:
Photos
male
male - CA
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & pair
female - CA
pair in cop - PA
pair - CA
males & females - CA
pair - NM
pair - NM
male - CO
Scans
male - OR
pair - CA
pair - OR
female - CA
Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum...pg. 97

size: small, length 27 - 31 mm

male: mostly black above inc. segs 6&7: pale blue to turquoise markings; U-shaped mark atop seg.2;
green tinged thorax; top pale stripe can be interrupted;tear-shaped eyespots
middle abdomen segments mostly black, black markings on segment 2 are U-shaped

female: turquoise, tan, or green; very large eyespots

habitat: slow waters in northern mountains; prefers still, shaded water

SW flight period: May - August

SW distribution: CA, UT, CO, AZ, *NM [*new 7-2008]

Southwestern distribution map

Photo by Kathy Biggs

image of 3 species in pairs ovipositing

pairs tandem ovipositing

GENUS: Argia The Dancers - 25 SW species

sizes: medium, lengths 23 - 50 mm
description male: males: usually blue (or violet) & black;
perch with wings held well up and over back, sail-like;
leg hairs 2X as long as space between them;
4th leg joint has 2 rows stiff bristles;
eyes often a dark blue color but not black;
side stripe on thorax often pinched or split
females: 2 forms - most common is tan or gray where male is blue; other is like male;
no vulvar spine on segment 8
nymph: robust
behavior: flight `dance-like' (up & down); 'clap' wings when approached;
alight more frequently in open spaces on rocks &/or wood rather than on vegetation;
more likely at moving waters;
tandem oviposit with male in 'sentinel' position
eggs laid on surface mats of algae, floating vegetation or on wood

Photos
male - NM
male - NV
male - AZ
males - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - TX
multiple images - TX
male & female - AZ
pair - AZ
multiple images - CA female
Scans
male - CA
male - AZ
male - TX
female - TX
Aztec Dancer Argia nahuana...pg. 99

size: small/medium, length 23 - 37 mm

male: brilliant sky-blue; thorax shoulder stripe variably forked (lower stripe can be interrupted); blue "tail" segments 8-10; distance between lower appendages from above less than width of individual appendages;
inward pointing lope on appendages when viewed from above

female: less colorful, thicker bodied than male; one form like male; other is tan and black

similar species: VERY similar to California Dancer:
Aztec Dancer usually has a spot on segment 2 while the California Dancer has a stripe

habitat: open rivers and streams

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: all SW

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA (new early flight data)
male, close-up thorax - CA
male, in hand - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
pair - CA
pair - OR
California Dancer Argia agrioides ...pg. 99

size: small/medium, length 23 - 37 mm

male: brilliant sky-blue; thorax shoulder stripe variably forked (lower stripe can be only interrupted); blue "tail" segments 8-10; distance between lower appendages from above greater than width of individual appendages
no inward pointing lobe on appendages when viewed from above
2nd segment with a stripe on side

female: less colorful, thicker bodied than male; one form like male; other is tan and black

similar species: VERY similar to Aztec Dancer:
California Dancer usually has a stripe on segment 2 while the Aztec has a spot

habitat: open rivers and streams

SW flight period: April - November

SW distribution: CA, NV, AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - TX
multiple images - TX
male - TX
female
Scans
male - TX
female - TX
Leonora's Dancer Argia leonorae ...pg. 99

size: small/medium, length 28 - 32 mm

male: similar to CA and the larger Aztec Dancer; brilliant sky-blue; thorax shoulder stripe variably forked; clear wings; abdomen largely blue with each segment showing more black until blue "tail" segments 8- 10; lines strongly diagonal on abdomen sides; make ID using hand lens by viewing appendages

female: less colorful, thicker bodied than male; one form like male; other is tan and black

habitat: clear rocky streams in desert or even muddy -banked rivulets

SW flight period: May - ~June

SW distribution: NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male with mites - CA
multiple images - CA
male, frontal close-up - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
male & female - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - AZ
male - UT
female, close-up of thorax
female - NV
pair (male colored female) - NV
tandem pair - NV
female - UT
female
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
scan odd pair - CA
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida...pg. 100

size: medium, length 29 - 41 mm

male: vivid blue & black markings; thorax top stripe has wide urn shape; side thoracic stripe pinched at mid-length; middle abdomen segment sides have small triangular black streaks; blue tip surrounds segments 8-10; when cool coloring becomes more violet; immatures - milky gray

female: tan/gray & black or male-like

habitat: seeps, streams; wanders

SW flight period: capable of flight whenever there is a prolonged warm spell

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - KS
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
image - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
males & females - TX
female, close-up of thorax
female
female
male colored female
Scans
pair - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
Springwater Dancer Argia plana...pg. 101

size: medium, length 33 - 40 mm

male: like Vivid Dancer but more violet (AZ, western NM) or blue (eastern NM); found south of where Vivid is found; differentiate from Vivid & also similar Apache Dancer by slightly wider, more rounded upper appendages (visible under hand lens); see p.114 Com. Drag. Of SW;
Rare forked side stripe form occurs

female: like male or pale browns

habitat: canopied streams, seeps

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
pair - AZ
male & female - AZ
Scans
male & female - MX
Yaqui Dancer Argia carlcooki NEW FOR USA

size: medium, length - 35 mm

male: like Vivid Dancer but

female: like male or pale browns

habitat: canopied streams, seeps

SW flight period: September

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
males - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males & female - AZ
pair - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
male - MX
Scans
male - AZ
female - MX
Spine-tipped Dancer Argia extranea ...pg. 157

size: medium, length 32 - 37 mm

male: similar to Springwater Dancer; bluish violet species; large violet eyespots; blue or violet shoulder stripe; blue "tail" segments 8-10 have black longitudinal stripe. Make ID using hand lens by viewing appendages &/or looking at side of segment 2 where there is a "black 'saddle-shaped' mark". See image at AZ Odes

female: less colorful

habitat: small to medium rocky &/or sandy streams, usually with a lot of emergent vegetation

SW flight period: early April - early November

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male
multiple images - TX
multiple images - TX
Scans
male & female - AZ
Apache Dancer Argia munda...pg. 101

size: medium, length 36 - 40 mm

male: similar to Vivid but differentiate Apache Dancers by their slightly wider, more rounded upper appendages (visible under hand lens); see p.114 Com. Drag. Of SW

female: like male or pale browns

habitat: canyon streams, even intermittent

SW flight period: May - October

SW distribution: UT, AZ, NM, NV

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - AZ
female - AZ
Tarascan Dancer Argia tarascana...pg. 157

size: medium, length 33 - 39 mm

male: blue and black species with wide, split side stripe; large eyespots; abdominal segments 8-10 blue; differentiate by appendages using hand lens

female: like male or pale browns

habitat: streams, ditches

SW flight period: June - October

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
female
Scans
male - AZ
female - AZ
Sabino Dancer Argia sabino...pg. 157

size: medium, length 33 - 39 mm

male: similar to Tarascan Dancer blue, violet and black; split side stripe; large eyespots; abdominal segments 8-10 blue; differentiate by appendages using hand lens

female: like male or pale browns

habitat: streams with large boulders

SW flight period: May - October

SW distribution: AZ - Sabino Canyon

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
female
Scans
pair - AZ
Pima Dancer Argia pima...pg. 157

size: medium, length 35 - 43 mm

male: similar to Sierra Madre Dancer; split side stripe; blue, violet and black species; clear wings with black venation; large eyespots; abdominal segment 1 pale with dark triangular mark on top; differentiate by appendages using hand lens

female: like male or tan with more black than male

habitat: small streams, often rocky, in wooded areas

SW flight period: July - October

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
female
Scans
male - AZ
female - MX
Sierra Madre Dancer Argia lacrimans...pg. 157

size: medium, length 37 - 46 mm

male: similar to Pima Dancerblue and black species with clear wings; large eyespots; abdominal segments 8-10 blue; differentiate by appendages using hand lens

female: like male or pale browns; segments 8 & 9 blue

habitat: small rocky steams in wooded areas

SW flight period: May - early November

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
males - CA
male - OR
female, close-up of thorax - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
males & females - CA
pair - CA
multiple images - CA
female - UT
Scans
male side - CA
male top - CA
male - CA
pair - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Emma's Dancer Argia emma...pg. 102

size: medium, length 32 - 40 mm

male: purplish species; occurs further north than Tonto; thoracic side stripe pinched at middle; black stripe top of thorax unique - very narrow & straight; abdomen lavender and black with no side triangles, short black vertical stripes sides of segments 8 & 9; pale stigma; see appendage chart below (p.114)

female: male-like or yellowish tan; top thoracic stripe very thin

habitat: rocky streams, rivers

SW flight period: March - October

SW distribution: CA, NV, UT, CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
pair - AZ
male - NM
male - NM
male - NM
male - NM
male - NM
female, close-up thorax - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
female
Scans
female - AZ
pair - AZ
Tonto Dancer Argia tonto...pg. 103

size: medium, length 39 - 44 mm

male: violet or purple species; narrow top thoracic stripe; large eyespots; back of head pale; dark shoulder stripe pinched, not forked, lower end abruptly wider than upper end; abdomen with no dark side streaks on sides; tail-tip violet; range is south of Emma's Dancer's; appendages p. 114

female: like male, color usually tan; top stripe a bit wider

habitat: wooded mountain streams

SW flight period: May - early October

SW distribution: AZ, southwestern NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male - NM
male - TX
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
female
female
pair - NM
Scans
pair - TX
male - SD
Violet [aka Variable] Dancer Argia fumipennis violacea...pg. 104

size: medium, length 29 - 34 mm

male: violet when mature; thoracic shoulder stripe forked; top stripe wide & straight; lower half of thorax without contrasting white; "tail" is violet with black under 8-10; in SW slightly smoky wings; prefers slow moving areas of streams

female: like male but light brown or tan with wide black stripe on abdomen side

habitat: slow streams, ponds

SW flight period: early April - early November

SW distribution: CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - TX
male
young male
female, close up of thorax - TX
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - CA
multiple images - CA
pair
Scans
pair - AZ
Lavender Dancer Argia hinei...pg. 105

size: small/medium length 30 - 35 mm

male: violet when mature; thoracic shoulder stripe forked; frontal stripe wide; mature males show lower half of thorax pruinose white; segment 8-10 form contrasting blue "tail" with black under 8 & 9 only; prefers shallow rocky stream areas

female: light brown; abdomen & thorax patterning similar to male; dark intrusions on pale tail tip

habitat: streams (even ephemeral)

SW flight period: late March - November

SW distribution: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - TX
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
female - NV
female - NV
female - AZ
female - TX
female - TX
pair - NV
Scans
male & female - TX
male & female - TX
Kiowa Dancer Argia immunda ...pg. 106

size: small/medium, length 26 - 38 mm

male: blue or blue violet & black; pale thoracic side stripe wide and irregular in shape; dark side stripe forked; large eyespots; abdominal segments 3-6 unique with thin pale basal ring & then 3 alternating black-pale- black markings each of approximately the same width; wings clear, dark veins

female: tan where male is blue

habitat: streams & rivers, lakes

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: CA, NV, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - NV
male - NV
male & female - AZ
male, close-up of thorax - CA
males - CA
male - CA
(new early flight data)
multiple images - CA
female
female - NV
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
immature male - CA
male appendages - CA
male appendages - CA
female - CA
Paiute Dancer Argia alberta...pg. 107

size: small/medium, length 26 - 32 mm

male: small, dark for a dancer; dark thoracic shoulder stripe prominent and forked; small eye-spots; wings clear, dark veins; abdomen mostly dark with contrasting blue or grayish purple rings that don't close at the top, middle segments black on top; immatures colored more violet

female: light brown & black

habitat: stream/pond arid areas

SW flight period: late February - December

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
female, close-up of thorax - AZ
female - NM
Scans
male - AZ
male - AZ
female - AZ
Amethyst Dancer Argia pallens...pg. 108

size: medium, length 32 - 35 mm

male: almost all violet & very pale, even eyes, legs & tops of segs 8-10; top thoracic stripe thin & narrow, dark side stripe very thin and pinched at middle; prothorax ("neck") violet; pale stigma; no triangles down side of abdomen; segment 7 pale, not black

female: like male or brown where male is violet

habitat: small streams

SW flight period: January - November

SW distribution: AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - TX
female
female
pair - AZ
Scans
male & female - TX
males - TX
female - TX
Dusky Dancer Argia translata ...pg. 109

size: medium, length 32 - 38 mm

male: dark gunmetal blue coloration; dark side stripe can disappear with age; abdomen very thin and dark with 4 narrow pale rings; no blue "tail"; top of eyes purple; wings clear or slightly smoky; lower thorax becomes dark pruinose; black legs

female: like male or tan; segments 8-10 pale side stripe

habitat: open streams, rivers

SW flight period: early May - November

SW distribution: AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male & female - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
female - AZ
Scans
pair - MX
Tezpi Dancer Argia tezpi ...pg. 109

size: medium, length 34 - 42 mm

male: even darker than Dusky Dancer; head dark except for pale eyespots; thorax with somewhat metallic violet top stripe; wings golden; segments 1-7 black above, sometimes with greenish reflections, 3-7 have incomplete rings, 8-10 variable

female: like male

habitat: streams

SW flight period: May - November

SW distribution: AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male & female - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
female - AZ
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male - CA
female, close-up of thorax - TX
female - CA
male-colored female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
multiple images - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male & female - CA
female (brown) - CA
female (blue) - CA
female (blue) - AZ
Sooty Dancer Argia lugens...pg. 110

size: medium, length 40 - 50 mm

male: large for a damselfly; unlike most Dancers, no blue near abdomen tip; thorax develops dark sooty blue pruinosity; noticeable pale ring around each segment; dark eyes; dark wing veins can become slightly smoky; perches on rocks; immature patterned brown like female

female: thorax patterned blue or brown; pale rings abdomen

habitat: rocky streams, rivers

SW flight period: April - October

SW distribution: CA, UT, CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
young male - NV
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
males - AZ
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female drawings by Ed Lam
male - TX
female - TX
female - AZ
female - NV
pair - NV
female - AZ
female - AZ
Scans
pair - CA
female - CA
male & female - TX
male - TX
female - TX
Powdered Dancer Argia moesta...pg. 111

size: medium, length 37 - 43 mm

male: large for a damselfly; develops chalky/powdery white/gray pruinosity with age, especially thorax; abdomen turns pale gray on segments 8- 10; compare immature males and females with Blue-fronted Dancer

female: pale blue or light brown thorax; older females sometimes become a bit pruinose

habitat: rocky rivers, windy lakes

SW flight period: March - December

SW distribution: all SW states

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male
male & female - AZ
male - TX
male - TX
male & female - TX
female, close-up thorax - AZ
Scans
male & female - TX
Blue-fronted Dancer Argia apicalis...pg. 112

size: medium, length 33 - 40 mm

male: bright blue thorax, top and shoulder stripes very thin; blue face; clear wings; black abdomen, segments 8-10 blue; small brown stigma; dark eyes, tiny eyespots; compare to similar immature Powdered Dancer

female: same markings; can be colored male-like or rusty brown

habitat: muddy rivers & lakes

SW flight period: March - October

SW distribution: CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NM
male & female - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
males & females - CA
multiple images - CA
female - CA
female
female - NV
female - NV
female - NV
female - AZ
tandem pair - NV
Scans
male - AZ
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
male & female - TX
Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula...pg. 113

size: medium, length 29 - 34 mm

male: black abdomen has narrow blue rings separating sections; blue "tail" 8-10 on top side only; thorax has wide dark side and top stripe; wings dark veined, amber tinged

female: always paler than male, showing olive-tan wherever male is blue; wings amber-tinged

habitat: sunny sections of small/medium rivers

SW flight period: February - early December

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - TX
male - Niagara
male & female - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
pair - NM
pair- C.Rica
Scans
male - AZ
pair - MX
Fiery-eyed Dancer Argia oenea...pg. 116

size: medium, length 33 - 39 mm

male: upper eyes bright red, blue wash back of the eye; coppery orange face; top of thorax dark metallic coppery red; abdomen segments 3-6 violet (or blue) above with blue (or violet) "tail" segments 8-10; dark legs; clear wings

female: like male or brown; no red; pale "island" in midst of dark side stripe

habitat: streams and rivers

SW flight period: May - November

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Sketches
Dancer appendage sketches
by Rosser Garrison
Dancer appendages Argia male appendages...pg. 114 & 115
sometimes it is necessary to have a Dancer in hand and examine its terminal appendages using a 10X+ hand lens to make a final identification. Dorsal and lateral views
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males - AZ
males - AZ
immature - AZ
immature - AZ
immature male - AZ
teneral - AZ
male & female - AZ
pair in cop - AZ
males & females - TX
female - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
female
female
Scans
male - NM
young female - NM
Painted Damsel Hesperagrion heterodoxum...pg. 117

size: medium, length 27 - 35 mm

male: red eye spots; red top segments 8-10; yellow under segments 1-7; 4 blue marks thorax top, sides blue, yellow brown in immature; like no other Southwestern damselfly; coloration variable by age - immature all orange

female: blue tail only top segment 7; thorax top -blue triangles; similar to Plain's & Pacific Forktails

habitat: creeks and streams

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
immature male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
female
male - MX
male
Scans
Black & White Damsel Apanisagrion lais...pg. 157

size: medium, length 32 - 37 mm (needs further determination)

male: immatures largely orange and similar in appearance to a Firetail or immature female Forktail; matures become very dark with yellow-green marking; segments 1-7 greenish to tan underside and almost entirely black or dark brown; segments 8-10 all dark but may become pruinose on top, especially on 8 & 9; unique dense venation on lower margins of wings

female: very similar to male

habitat: slow streams in woodland with grasses &/or watercress

SW flight period: April - November

SW distribution: AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
male - AZ
pair - NV
male - UT
female - CA
pair in wheel - CA
pair in wheel - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - OR
female - CA
pair - CA
Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum...pg. 118

size: very small, length 23 - 28 mm

male: stocky; hairy black head and thorax, brown eyes, black on top; bright red abdomen barely extends beyond wings; black top and/or sides segments 7-10; dark legs

female: stout; pale peach to reddish; thorax tawny; rare dark pruinose form exists

habitat: mountain lakes, marshes, slow streams

SW flight period: April - October

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males, pairs- AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
pairs - AZ
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
pair - CA
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - NM
pair - CA
pair - CA
multiple images - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
males - CA
Desert Firetail Telebasis salva...pg.119

size: very small, length 23 - 29 mm

male: dainty and slender; all red abdomen extends well beyond wing tips; red face and eyes; black eye spots; thorax red with black; red legs; tip of abdomen without black

female: some black thorax top; eggs laid in algae mats

habitat: shallow waters with algae scum; lowlands (not just in deserts)

SW flight period: March - December

SW distribution: all SW, except CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - CA
males - CA
comparison shot Rambur's & Desert males - CA
multiple images - CA
males & females - CA & AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - NV
pair - NV
female - CA
female
female, male colored - NV
female - NV
female eating - NV
young female - AZ
young female - AZ
young female - AZ
young female - AZ
young female - AZ
female - AZ
dispersal/migratory event - CA
Scans
male - CA
comparative scan Ramburs/Desert males
male-colored female - CA
comparative scan Ramburs/Desert females & males
male - AZ
females & males - TX
Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii...pg. 120

size: medium, length 27 - 36 mm

male: green-blue shoulder stripe very thin, parallel sided; tiny circular eyespots; thorax and segments 1-3 greenish-blue; yellowish-orange underside only of segments 3-7; blue surrounds segment 8, part of 9, not top of 10; lower appendages point straight out

female: male-like or Day-Glo red/orange turning tan/olive; wide black stripe thorax top

habitat: pond/lake/slow streams

SW flight period: all year

SW distribution: CA, NV, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
males & females- CA
multiple images - CA
male - NM
male - NM
male - UT
male & female - AZ
female - UT
female
male-colored female - NV
male-colored female- NV
male-colored females ovipositing - NV
pair - AZ
pair - NM
pair - NM
pair - NV
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
comparative scan Rambur's/Desert males
comparative scan Rambur's/Desert males
male - CA
pair - AZ
female - AZ
male & female - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
Desert Forktail Ischnura barberi...pg. 121

size: medium, length 27 - 35 mm

male: pale shoulder stripe thicker than Rambur's, widest near eyes; large tear-shaped eyespots connected by a line; pale orange on mid segments curves partly up & over the abdomen leaving the dark areas on top appearing dart shaped; blue surrounds all of segments 8 & 9; lower appendages point upward

female: like male or pale tan-orange; narrow top stripe

habitat: pond/lakes/slow streams

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - NM
male - NM
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male
multiple images - CA
male - CA
male
male & female - NM
male & female
pair in wheel - CA
pair in wheel - CA
immature female, close-up thorax - FL
immature female - CA
immature female - P.Rico
mature female - NM
mature female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male side - TX
female - CA
male & female - TX
Citrine Forktail Ischnura hastata...pg. 122

size: very small, length 20 - 27 mm

male: abdomen (even tip) mostly yellow above & below with some black; thoracic stripes green; forewing - pale reddish-brown stigma that is NOT touching the leading edge; hind wing has (usual) dark stigma

female: immature orange & black with segments 1-4 mostly orange; mature - pale pruinose

habitat: marshes/ponds/streams

SW flight period: January - November

SW distribution: CA, NV, CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
males - CA
male-colored female - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
immature female - CA
immature female - CA
female - CA
mature female - CA
male
male & female - AZ
mature female - NV
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
young male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
immature female - CA
Western Forktail Ischnura perparva ...pg. 123

size: small, length 21 - 33 mm

male: thorax sides & top - blue-green stripes; noticeable fine pale rings across each dark abdomen segment; blue tip has dark intrusions on sides

female: immature orange & black with segments 1-3 mostly orange; becomes pale pruinose at maturity

habitat: weedy ponds, creeks
behavior: females lay eggs solo; only mate once, then curl thier 'tail' down to signal when approached by other males signaling that they are not interested in sex!

SW flight period: early March - early November

SW distribution: CA, NV, AZ?

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males - AZ
male - NM
male
male - TX
male & female - AZ
male & female - TX
female - AZ
mature female - AZ
mature female - AZ
mature female - AZ
mature female - AZ
Scans
male - AZ
female - AZ
Mexican Forktail Ischnura demorsa...pg. 123

size: small, length 21 - 33 mm

male: thorax sides & top - blue-green stripes; noticeable fine pale rings across each dark abdomen segment; blue tip has dark intrusions on sides; differentiate from Western & Eastern Forktails by appendages

female: immature orange & black with segments 1-3 mostly orange; becomes pale pruinose

habitat: weedy ponds, creeks

SW flight period: February - early December

SW distribution: UT, CO, AZ, NM, NV

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male
male & female - Iowa
male
info - north east
female
mature female
male & female
Scans
male & female - SD
Eastern Forktail Ischnura verticalis ...pg. 123

size: small, length 21 - 33 mm

male: thorax sides & top - blue-green stripes; noticeable fine pale rings across each dark abdomen segment; blue tip has dark intrusions differentiate from Western and Mexican by appendages

female: immature orange & black with segments 1-3 mostly orange; becomes pale pruinose

habitat: weedy ponds, creeks

SW flight period: May - October

SW distribution: CO, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ

male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
males - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male - NV
males - AZ
male & female - AZ
males & females - CA
immature female - CA
immature female - CA
male-colored female - CA
pair - CA
pair - CA
mature female - CA
mature female - NV
multiple images - NV
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
male-colored female - CA
Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula...pg. 124

size: small, length 22 - 34 mm

male: abdomen black with blue "tail" markings that touch top & bottom; black thorax top - 4 tiny blue spots, 1 each "corner"; thorax sides blue; upright 'fork' at top end of tail; use appendages chart p.126 Com. Drag. Of SW

female: stripes on top of thorax; shows pinkish-orange eyespot color as immature; becomes all dark pruinose when mature; pale stigma; long hairs extend from prothorax toward the midline; abdomen tip pattern - 2 narrow blue rings bracketing segment 8; male-like form has larger dots atop thorax than males do

habitat: weedy ponds & creeks

SW flight period: all year in south

SW distribution: all SW

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - TX
male - TX
male & female - AZ
female, immature - AZ
male - CO
male - CO
Scans
males & females - SD
Plains Forktail Ischnura damula...pg. 124

size: small, length 22 - 34 mm

male: abdomen black with blue "tail" markings that touch top & bottom; black thorax top - 4 tiny blue spots, 1 each "corner"; thorax sides blue; 'fork' top end of tail small; use appendages chart p.126

female: stripes on top of thorax; shows pinkish-orange eyespot color as immature; becomes all dark pruinose when mature; Pacific Forktails have long hairs extending back from the prothorax toward the midline, Plains Forktail lacks them; pale stigma; male-like form has larger dots

habitat: weedy ponds & creeks

SW flight period: February - October

SW distribution: UT, CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
young male - CA
multiple images - CA
males & females - CA
female - CA
male - NV
male - AZ
female - NV
male - AZ
female - AZ
male & female - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
male & females - CA
Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis...pg. 125

size: very small, length 22 - 26 mm

male: no stripes or dots on top of thorax; all dark above, sides of thorax blue (green in immature); blue patches on top & bottom segments 8-9 do not touch; chartreuse underside; stigma has white margin at rear; frail; top appendages bent down. SF Forktail, rare, CA's Bay Area, lower appendages not as hooked/noticeable

similar species: the very rare San Francisco Forktail is the 'twin' to the Black Fronted, but has differently shaped appendages; lacks the white margin at the rear of the stigma: all 'Black-fronted' type forktails in the Bay Area that appear to not have this stigma should be examined in hand. The two species have been known to hybredize.

female: immature - pale coral; mature green/blue thorax sides

habitat: lakes, ponds, seeps

SW flight period: all year in south

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
pair in tandem
pair in tandem
female - CA
mature female - CA
immature female - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
San Francisco Forktail Ischnura gemina...pg. 125

size: small, length 24 - 28 mm; wingspan ~28 mm

male: thorax top and abdomen dark; blue spots on segments 8 and 9; underside chartreuse; appendages up-pointing

female: cryptic brown, reddish, or male-like


similar species: very similar to Black-fronted Forktail, hence the Latin name `gemina' for twin; SF Forktail is slightly more robust; compare the two by appendages; SF Forktail lacks white margin at rear of stigma; eye spots back of head are more circular in shape than Western's, Mexican's, Eastern's or Pacific's

SW habitat: weedy ditches; often near salt water

SW flight period: March - early November

SW distribution: CA endemic; S.F. Bay Area; Santa Cruz (historical); rare: PLEASE REPORT ALL SIGHTINGS

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male & female - CA
male & female - WA
female - CA
female - CA
Swift Forktail Ischnura erratica...pg. 158 & inside back cover dust jacket

size: medium, 29 - 34 mm

male: blue stripes on top of thorax with black in center; larger than most other forktails with bolder markings; yellow under abdomen with thin yellow rings; blue on thorax sides is similar in shape to blue on sides of Bluets; blue on sides has a dark line coming in from the back at mid-height; dark abdomen has blue spots on top of segments # 8 - 9; lower appendages are much longer than uppers; long enough to see thru binoculars; stigma bi-colored

female: abdomen top all dark, with dark green thorax sides, eye spots, and thoracic side stripes; or colored like male;

similar species: larger than other similarly dark Forktail species; continuous blue side stripe, not the !! of the similarly sized Exclamation Damsel; Western Forktails are much smaller and have a much more prominent blue line between the post-ocular eye spots; use appendages to differentiate

SW habitat: ponds and creeks

SW flight period: February - September

SW distribution CA

Southwestern distribution map
Sketches
forktail appendage sketches
by Natalia von Ellenrieder

Scan
scan of a forktail nymph
Forktail appendages and nymph scan Ischnura male appendages...pg. 126
Examine forktail appendages in hand using a hand lens and terminal appendages illustrations to make a final identification
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male's appendages - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
brown form female - CA
brown form female - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
Exclamation Damsel Zoniagrion exclamationis...pg. 158 & back cover dust jacket

size: medium; length 30 - 35 mm

male: slender; blue & black; thorax top dark with a pair of turquoise !!; blue on top of segments 1&2, 7-9 only

female: similar but blue on end of abdomen is only on segments 7 and 8; !! marks on top of thorax may be merged;
irregularly shaped eyespots, inner end points towards center & the outer end points forward

similar species: larger than most similarly dark Forktail Ischnura species; Swift Forktail has continuous blue thoracic stripe, not !! -
Use appendages to help differentiate

behavior: often rests with wings held slightly open; eggs laid in leaf blades & stems

habitat: permanent pools of mud-banked streams

SW flight period: March - September

SW distribution: CA endemic; northern coastal and central valley counties

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
pair - CA
male & female - MN
pair - MD
male
Scans
pair - OR
pair - OR
male - WV
female - WV
Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene ...pg. 158 & inside back cover dust jacket

size: small, length 25 - 30 mm

male: mostly dark with green; top of thorax and abdomen metallic green; middle segments at least 50% black from above; thorax top entirely metallic green, sides blue; abdomen blue in male, green for females; black areas whole length of abdomen; black spot rear of 2nd abdominal segment

SW habitat: slow waters: sedge marshes/bogs/lakes/ponds/streams/rivers

female: very similar to male

SW flight period: June - August

SW distribution: northern CA

Southwestern distribution map

Shadowdamsels: Platysticidae

...pg. 157
sizes: medium, length 35 - 45 mm
males: long narrow abdomens
females: like male or tan
habitats: arid desert streams with riparian edges
behaviors: shy; active during cooler periods of day/weather
SW flight period only one species found in USA

Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
multiple images & video - AZ
female - AZ
Scans
female - AZ

Desert Shadowdamsel Palaemnema domina

...pg. 157

size: medium, length 35 - 45 mm

male: very long narrow abdomen with pale rings; segments 6.5-10 on abdomen extend beyond the tips of the clear wings; middle abdominal segments with small triangular streaks on side near front of each segment; segments 8-10 blue with lower black margin; similar to Kiowa Dancer but blue

female: like male or tan; clear wings

habitat: arid desert streams

SW flight period: July - September

behavior: shy; hides in dark areas such as small caves

SW distribution: AZ (rare)

Southwestern distribution map

Spreadwings - Lestidae

...pg. 127
sizes: medium to large, slender; lengths: 30 - 62 mm
2 SW genera:
Pond Spreadwings - 8 SW species
Stream Spreadwings - 2 SW species
males: dark with blues, greens; blue eyes; pruinose pale area near tip; some show more extensive pruinosity
females: more stout; less colorful; not pruinose
habitats: ponds, marshes, streams, slow rivers
behaviors: often hold wings open when at rest, la stealth bombers; oviposit in plant tissue that is above water level
Pond Spreadwings, Lestes: found flying at still water sites summer through fall; patrol shoreline from emergent vegetation on which they rest; oviposit while in tandem into non-woody vegetation above the water level
Stream Spreadwings, Archilestes: moving water sites; SW's largest damselflies; tandem oviposit into woody vegetation such as bay, alder & willow branches overhanging creeks/small rivers (even when dry); late season flight
Photos

male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female - AZ
female
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male side
male - OR
pair - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Northern [aka Common] Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus disjunctus...pg. 128

size: medium, slender, length 30 - 40 mm

male: blue eyes; thorax becomes pruinose pale blue; first two and last two or three abdominal segment become pruinose gray-blue; other segments have dark/green sheen; lower appendages long & straight but may be held crossed or like a V (examine carefully with hand lens); black stigma

female: more stout; no pruinosity; ovipositor does NOT extend beyond end of abdomen

habitat: weedy ponds, streams

SW flight period: April - early November

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - TX
multiple images - TX
male - Iowa
male & female drawings
Scans
male - WA
female - WA
Sweetflag Spreadwing Lestes forcipatus...pg. 156

size: medium, slender, length 30 - 42 mm

male: very similar to Northern Spreadwing; blue eyes; thorax becomes pruinose pale blue; first two and last two or three abdominal segment become pruinose gray-blue; other segments have dark/green sheen; lower appendages long & straight but may be held crossed or like a V (examine carefully with hand lens); black stigma.

female: easier to tell from Common Spreadwing than male is - large distinctive ovipositor extends beyond end of abdomen

similar species: Extremely similar to Northern Spreadwing, esp. the males

habitat: sedge fens
Behavior: lays eggs in stems of Sweetflag which is a kind of aquatic iris, hence the common name

SW flight period: ~April - ~September

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male - UT
male & female - AZ
pair - CA
female - CA
female - UT
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener ...pg. 129

size: medium, slender, length 31 - 42 mm

male: blue eyes; thorax dark; first & last two abdominal segments pruinose gray-blue; other segments - dark or green sheen; short lower appendages <50% of uppers;
4 dark spots thorax underside, usually visible also in side view; dark brown stigma

female: more stout; less colorful

habitat: weedy ponds, streams

SW flight period: early April - December

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male's appendages
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female - MN
female - CA
female - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus...pg. 129

size: medium, slender, length 31 - 42 mm

male: blue eyes; thorax dark; first & last two abdominal segments pruinose gray-blue; other segments - dark or green sheen; lower appendages lyre-shaped; dark brown stigma

female: more stout; less colorful

habitat: weedy ponds, streams

SW flight period: June - September

SW distribution: CA, NV, UT, CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - Iowa
info - North East
male & female - MN
Scans
Slender Spreadwing Lestes rectangulatus...pg. 156

size: medium/large, slender, length 42 - 53 mm

male: blue eyes and face; thorax dark with pale shoulder stripe, pale yellow below; abdomen entirely dark bronzy with NO PALE SPOT on 'tail'; lower appendages curve downward; long slender abdomen, almost twice the length of the wings, is distinctive among the Spreadwings

female: more stout; duller

habitat: slow waters including temporary and shaded ponds and marshes

SW flight period: July - ~November

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males - AZ
male & female - AZ
males - TX
male
male & female - TX
male & female - TX

female - NM
Scans
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male & female - TX
Plateau Spreadwing Lestes alacer...pg. 130

size: medium, slender, length 34 - 45 mm

male: broad dark stripe top of thorax, dark side stripe variable width; pale side stripe usually a blue tint & narrowing to a point at rear; abdomen slender, esp. middle segments; reduced dark markings abdomen top; segments 1 & 2, 8-10 become pruinose with age; lower appendages 75% of uppers

female: similar to male

habitat: grass-edged ponds, slow streams at low elevations

SW flight period: January - November

SW distribution: AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
male & female - AZ
male - WA
female - CA
female - BC
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas...pg. 131

size: medium, slender, length 32 - 40 mm

male: top of thorax bright metallic green; sides of thorax blue; abdomen bright metallic green; first two and last two segments can show blue; appendages are long and broad at the end

female: stocky; less emerald

habitat: forested mountain areas

SW flight period: April - October

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
pair ovipositing - CA
teneral female - CA
multiple images - CA
Scans
male - CA
female - CA
females - CA
Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus...pg. 131

size: medium, slender, length 35 - 44 mm

male: very similar to Emerald Spreadwing except black not green coloration; bronzy thorax; first two and last two segments can show pruinose blue; appendages are long and broad at the end

female: stocky

habitat: sloughs, ditches, ponds

SW flight period: March - September

SW distribution: CA

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
pair
pair ovipositing - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA female - CA
male - AZ
male & female - AZ
pair - AZ
pair - AZ
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus ...pg. 132

size: medium/large, slender, length 42- 59 mm

male: long body brown &/or black with pruinose area near tip; 2 incomplete white stripes thorax sides; blue eyes; wings colorless, pale stigma; upper appendages semicircular, lower are parallel; late season flier

female: less colorful brown tones

habitat: streams with alders/willows

SW flight period: June - December

SW distribution: CA, NV, AZ

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male - CA
young male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
pairs ovipositing into Bay Tree branches - CA
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis...pg. 133

size: large, slender, length 50 - 62 mm

male: long body gray with greenish sheen, pruinose area near tip; one continuous pale side stripe on thorax (yellow in mature); blue eyes; dark stigma; top appendages semicircular, lowers divergent; North American's largest damselfly; late season flier

female: less colorful

habitat: streams with overhanging alders/willows/bay

SW flight period: March - January

SW distribution: CA, UT, CO, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map

Broad-winged Damsels - Calopterygidae

...pg. 134
sizes: medium to large, slender; lengths: 36 - 54 mm SW genera:
Jewelwings - 2 SW species
Rubyspots
- 3 SW species
males: large for damselflies; colorful patches in wings
females: more stout; less colorful bodies and wings
habitats: streams, slow rivers, esp. with vegetation
behaviors: butterfly-like courtship &/or male display flights; perch horizontally, head down on vegetation, shoreline rocks
Jewelwings, Calopteryx: large broad wings with black wing coloration either at tip of or for entire wing; beautiful green and blue iridescent coloration on body changes with angle of viewing; long spindly legs; courtship displays
Rubyspots, Hetaerina: males have basal quarter to third of wings with beautiful red patches; thorax matures to red as seen through smoky glass or to dark with reddish iridescence; very long dark legs; males duel in display flights
Photos

male - WA
male - CA
male - WA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
immature female - CA
female - WA
female - CA
female - WA
photos of behaviors - CA
Scans
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - OR
female - CA
female - CA
River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis ...pg. 134/135

size: medium, length 43 - 54 mm

male: jewel-like bright metallic green/blue thorax and abdomen; outer 1/3 of wings conspicuously dark

female: duller abdomen, pale tip; smoky wings have a contrasting pale pseudostigma; sometimes oviposit under water

habitat: fast waters of large wooded streams/rivers; larva live in root masses

SW flight period: May - early August

SW distribution: CA, NV, UT, CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male
male
male - NY
male & female - TX
multiple images - TX
male & female - TX
female
Scans
male & female - TX
male - MS
female - MS
Ebony Jewelwing Calopteryx maculata...pg. 156

size: medium, length 39 - 57 mm

male: jewel-like bright metallic green/blue thorax and abdomen; wings all dark, including stigma

female: duller abdomen, pale tip; wings all pale brown, darker towards tips, conspicuous white pseudostigma

habitat: fast waters of large wooded streams/rivers; larva live in root masses

SW flight period: ~March - ~October

SW distribution: CO

Southwestern distribution map
Photos

male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
multiple images - CA
males - CA
males - CA
multiple images - CA
multiple images - CA
male & appendages - NV
male - NV
male - NV
male - NM
male - NM
male - NM
male - UT
male - AZ
male - AZ
multiple images - AZ
male & female - AZ
male & female - AZ
female - AZ
female - AZ
female - NV
female - NV
female - CA
female - CA
female - CA
female - NM
female - CO
female - UT
Scans
scan imm. male - NM
male - CA
male - CA
male - CA
female - CA
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana...pg. 136

size: medium/large, length 36 - 51 mm

male: wings ruby red basal 1/3 to 1/2; thorax blood red as if under black glass, pale side stripes; abdomen bronzy brown-green with thin rings; CA usually no stigma, other states pale stigma.

female: less colorful; wing patches orangish, streak leading edge, tips mostly clear, pale stigma (sometimes no stigma in CA)

habitat: open streams, rivers

SW flight period: all year in southern part of its range; March - Dec. elsewhere

SW distribution: all Southwest

Southwestern distribution map
Photos

male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
male - AZ
males - AZ
males - AZ
male - UT
male - NM
male - NM
male
male & female - AZ
comparison shot Am. & Canyon females - AZ
female - AZ
female - NM
Scans
Canyon Rubyspot Hetaerina vulnerata ...pg. 137

size: medium/large, length 36 - 49 mm

male: red at wing base usually less extensive than American Rubyspot's; smoky edge/wing-tip; no stigma; compare by appendages American - upper appendages 1-2 toothlike lobes inside at midpoint; Canyon lacks these lobes

female: less colorful; wing patches orangish, no stigma, smoky wing tips

habitat: canopied streams, rivers

SW flight period: March - November

SW distribution: UT, AZ, NM

Southwestern distribution map
Photos
male & female - TX
male & female - TX
male - TX
male & female, drawings
Scans
male - TX
male top - TX
male side - TX
male side - TX
male - LA
female - LA
Smoky Rubyspot Hetaerina titia...pg. 136

size: medium/large, length 37 - 51 mm

male: quite variable; wings mostly dark with red at base of forewing; abdomen mostly black, without rings

female: less colorful

habitat: sandy-bottomed streams, rivers

SW flight period: June - August

SW distribution: NM

Southwestern distribution map

I'm glad you enjoy the dragonflies and damselflies too! THANK-YOU for visiting!!

Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing

Kathy Biggs

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