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
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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
** Available NOW!
For children, grandchildren & your inner child!

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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
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 Western distribution maps Only valid through 2006 New links are being added to Southwestern Maps* at Odonata Central. These maps take a few moments to view. To use these maps you must click on the + tool 2 times to see county boundries.
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 .	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 flight periods: April - early November SW distribution: all SW Western distribution map
Photos male - NV male - CA males - CA males - CA males & females - CA males & females - CA male - UT 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	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 flight periods: end of March - early November SW distribution: all SW Western distribution map
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - 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 flight periods: May - September SW distribution: all SW but AZ Western 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 Western distribution map
Photos male - ID male - Iowa female Scans	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 distribution: UT Western distribution map
Photos male - NV male - NV male - AZ male - CO young male - UT male & female - AZ female female male - AZ male - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA female - CA pair - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA males & females - CA male/pairs - UT 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 Western distribution map
Photos male - CA male - CA male - NV male - NV female - CA female - CA pairs+ - 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 Western 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 Western 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 male - NV male in flight - NV male - CO male & female - AZ female - UT 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 Western distribution map
Photos male - NV male - CA male - CA multiple images - CA male male - AZ male - 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; 3rd segment 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 Western 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 - CO male - CO male males - 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 Western distribution map
Photos male & female - AZ 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 female: like male habitat: ponds SW flight period: April - November SW distribution: AZ, NM Western 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 SW flight period: ~April - ~November behavior: twilight species, known to oviposit after dark! SW distribution: CO Western 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 distribution: CO Western 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: SW flight period: ~May - August SW distribution: CO Western 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: Western distribution maps
Photos male male - CA male - AZ male & pair female - CA pair in cop - PA pair - CA males & females - CA Scans pair - CA female - CA	Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum...pg. 97 size: small, length 27 - 31 mm male: mostly black above, with pale blue to turquoise markings; 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 Western 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 males - AZ male - TX multiple images - TX male & female - AZ 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 spcecies: 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 appendagws when viewed from above female: less colorful, thicker bodied than male; one form like male; other is tan and black similar spcecies: 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - TX male - TX multiple images - 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; 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - KS male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ multiple images - AZ male & female - AZ males & females - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ pair - AZ male & female - AZ Scans male & female - MX	Yaqui Dancer Argia carlcookiNEW 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos males - AZ males & 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: SW flight period: early April - early November SW distribution: AZ Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos 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 & Apache Dancers differentiate by 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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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: SW flight period: July - October SW distribution: AZ Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male & female - AZ male & female - AZ male - 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: SW flight period: May - early November SW distribution: AZ Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA males - 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 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male & female - AZ male & female - AZ male & female - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male male - AZ male - 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 pairs - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ multiple images - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male & female - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ multiple images - AZ male & female - AZ male - AZ female - AZ multiple images - CA multiple images - CA male - CA female, close-up of thorax - TX female - CA male-colored female - CA photo female - CA female - CA multiple images - CA Scans male - CA male - CA male & female - CA female (brown) - CA female (blue) - CA	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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - NV young male - NV male - AZ multiple images - AZ male - AZ male & female - AZ males - AZ multiple images - CA multiple images - CA both sexes - CA male & female drawings by Ed Lam male - TX female - TX female - TX female - NV pair - NV 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male male male & female - AZ male - TX male - TX male & female - TX female, close-up thorax - AZ compare to Powdered 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 multiple images - AZ males & females - CA males & females - 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - TX male - Niagara male & female - AZ pair - AZ female - AZ female - AZ pair- NM pair- C.Rica Scans pair - MX	Fiery-eyed Damsel 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - AZ immature male - AZ male & female - AZ male & female - AZ female 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: SW flight period: April - November SW distribution: AZ Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male & pairs - CA male - AZ pair - NV male - UT female - CA pair in wheel - CA pair in wheel - CA Scans male - CA male - CA 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - AZ males, pairs- AZ pair - AZ pairs - AZ male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male & female - CA pair - CA male & 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ female - AZ male - CA males - CA comparison shot Rambur's & Desert males - CA males & females - 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 female - AZ 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - NV male - NV male - NV male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA males & females- CA males & females- 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 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - NM male - NM male - AZ male - AZ male male - 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 - FL 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA males - CA male-colored female - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA both sexes - CA immature female - CA immature female - CA mature female - CA multiple images - CA male male & female - AZ mature female - NV Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA young male - CA female - CA 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ males - AZ male - NM male male - TX male & female - AZ male & female - TX 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos 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 male-colored female - CA pair - CA pair - CA male & female - UT mature female - CA mature female - NV multiple images - NV Scans male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA male-colored female - CA	Pacific Forktail http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/MapAction.distributionViewerPane?querytype=records&taxa_id=43055&zoom=5&mapbottom=25.839449402063185&mapleft=-140.86669921875&maptop=58.83649009392136&mapright=-80.13427734375&loc_id=&status_id=&filetype=xml&link=true¢erx=-110.5¢ery=44.62&sciname=%3Ci%3EIschnura%20damula%20%3C/i%3E%20(Plains%20Forktail)&comname=&loc_id=&status_id= ...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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - TX male - TX male & female - AZ female, immature - AZ Scans male - AZ 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
Photos male - AZ male - CA male - CA male - CA male/pairs - CA young male - CA multiple images - CA males & females - CA males & females - CA female - CA male - NV male - AZ female - NV male - AZ female - AZ male & female - AZ Scans male - CA male - CA female - CA

Damselflies (Zygoptera) of the Southwest

DAMSELFLIESof the Southwest

DAMSELFLIES - Zygoptera

Pond Damsels: Coenagrionidae

DAMSELFLIES
of the Southwest