DAMSELFLIES
of the Southwest

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 underside at the end of their abdomen and only two terminal abdominal appendages. Damselflies lay their eggs directly into vegetation. The SW has 15 genera representing 4 of the 5 North American families: 1. Pond Damsels - Coenagrionidae 2. Shadowdamsels - Platysticidae 3. Spreadwings - Lestidae 4. Broad-winged Damsels - Calopterygidae

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Pond Damsels (Coenagrionidae)

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Spreadwings (Lestes) --- Shadowdamsels (Platysticidae)

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Broadwinged Damsels (Calopterygidae)

	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 - AZ male - AZ male & female - AZ male & female - AZ female - AZ multiple images & video - AZ multiple images - AZ/MX Scans male - AZ 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 17 - September 21 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 - 10 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
Image by Ray Bruun	GENUS: Lestes Pond Spreadwings - 10 SW species ...pg. 127 sizes: long and slender; 30 - 53 mm description: usually earth-toned colors although one species has metallic green top of thorax males: long slender abdomens with pruinose tips; blue eyes females: usually patterned like males, but abdomen thicker with a noticable swelling at end behavior: tend to hang perch with their wings opened in a delta position (like a jet plane); however at night and when cold or teneral, they close their wings. females oviposit while in tandem into non-woody vegetation above the water level, but can sometimes submerge to oviposit nymph: long and skinny with long gills habitat: still water (even temproary) esp. with grassy/reedy vegetation
Photos male & female - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA male - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA male - CO male - CO male - NM male - NM male - NM male & pair - NM Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male side - CA pair - CA female - CA female - CA male - OR male - USA	Northern [formerly Common, species recently split] 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 19 - November 21 SW distribution: all Southwest Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - TX male - TX male - TX male - TX young male - TX female - TX female - OH female - OH nymph Scans male - LA young male - LA female - MS	Southern [formerly Common, species recently split] Spreadwing Lestes australis...pg. 128 size: medium, slender, length 36-46 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 female: more stout; no pruinosity; ovipositor does NOT extend beyond end of abdomen similar species: compare by appendages to Northern Spreadwing which has darker color pattern, smaller size (33-40 mm ) and more strongly developed tooth on the cerci habitat: Still or slow moving waters with moderate vegetation, both permanent or ephemeral ponds SW flight period: May 14 - October 5 SW distribution: CO, NM Southwestern distribution map
Photos male - OR pair & male - OR male - TX multiple images - TX male - Iowa male & female drawings Scans pair- OR 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: July 18 - August 15 SW distribution: CO Southwestern distribution map
Photos male & female - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA pair - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA male - CO male - CO female - CO multiple images - CO male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM pair - NM pair & male - NM male - NV female underside - NV female underside - NV multiple images male - UT multiple images female - UT multiple images female - UT nymph Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA female - NV	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: April 4 - December 10 SW distribution: all Southwest Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - CA female - CA female - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA male - CO male - CO male - CO male - CO male - CO pair- CO male's appendages 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 4 - September 10 SW distribution: CA, CO, NV, UT Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - CO male - Iowa info - North East male & female - MN female - OK nymph Scans	Slender Spreadwing Lestes rectangularis...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: June 4 - July 14 SW distribution: CO Southwestern distribution map
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ males - AZ male & female - AZ multiple images - AZ multiple images - AZ male - NM male - NM male - NM female - NM teneral female & males - NM pair - NM pair - NM pair - NM male & female - TX males - TX male Scans male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ	Plateau Spreadwing Lestes alacer...pg. 130 [please note, photo of male in Common Dragonfleis of the Southwest - 2004 is incorrect! - KB] 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 27 - November 10 SW distribution: AZ, NM Southwestern distribution map
Photos male & female - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA multiple images - CA male - CO male - CO male - CO female - CO female - CO pair - CO male - NM male - NM male - NV female - NV female - UT 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 22- October 2 SW distribution: all Southwest Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA immature male - CA female - CA teneral female - CA pair ovipositing - CA multiple images - 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 when immature; 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 27 - September 5 SW distribution: CA Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Image by Dave Biggs	GENUS: Archilestes Stream Spreadwings - 2 SW species ...pg. 132 sizes: very long and slender; 42 - 62 mm description: our largest damselflies; earth-toned colors males: long slender abdomens with pruinose tips;beautiful blue eyes when mature; no pruinosity on thorax females: usually patterned like males, but abdomen thicker with a noticable swelling at end behavior: hang perch with wings opened in a delta position (like a jet plane); however at night and when cold or teneral, they close their wings females oviposit while in tandem into dry or even woody vegetation above the water level, even high above dry creekbeds nymph: long and skinny with long gills habitat: most often found at moving water esp. with overhanging willow, alder or bay tree branches
Photos male - AZ male & female - AZ pair - AZ pair - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA pair ovipositing - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA 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 & face; wings colorless, stigma from top usually pale; upper appendages semicircular and lower appendages can be seen from top view, lower are parallel; late season flier female: less colorful brown tones similar species: Great Spreadwing has complete pale thoratic stripe habitat: streams with alders/willows SW flight period: June 9 - December 10 SW distribution: AZ, CA, NV, NM Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ appendages- AZ male & female - AZ female - AZ female - AZ female - AZ female - AZ female - AZ multiple images - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA young male - CA young male - CA male - CA male - CA pairs ovipositing into Bay Tree branches - CA female - CA female - CA female - CA male - CO male - CO female - CO female - CO male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM female - NM male & pair - NV nymph - TX nymph nymph Scans male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA female - CA male - USA	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 & face; stigma usually dark; top appendages semicircular, lowers divergent and can't be seen from top view; North American's largest damselfly; late season flier female: less colorful similar species: California Spreadwing has incomplete pale thoratic stripe habitat: streams with overhanging alders/willows/bay SW flight period: March - December 13 SW distribution: all southwestern states Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
	Broad-winged Damsels - Calopterygidae ...pg. 134 sizes: medium to large, slender; lengths: 36 - 54 mm; 2 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
Image by Ray Bruun	GENUS: Calopteryx Jewelwings - 2 SW species ...pg. 135 sizes: medium; 43-54 mm description: metallic blue-green bodies, all or some of wings black; long legs males: beautiful metallic thorax and abdomen; long legs females: like males, but abdomen thicker; wings with a pale stigma behavior: males fly butterfly-like over water surface; often perch with head lower than abdomen females oviposit while in tandem; sometimes the female even goes totally underwater nymph: long and skinny with long gills habitat: moving water
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA female - CA immature female - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA photos of behaviors - CA male - NV Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA male - OR male - USA	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 6 - August 10 SW distribution: CA, CO, NV, UT Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male & pair - CO female - CO male male male - NY multiple images - TX male & female - TX female Scans male - MS female - MS male - USA female - USA	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: July 22 - August 14 SW distribution: CO Southwestern distribution map
Image by Pierre Deviche	GENUS: Hetaerina Rubyspots - 3 SW species ...pg. 136/7 sizes: medium; 36-51 mm description: red near base of wings; long legs males: beautiful red at wing base; long legs females: like males, but abdomen thicker; wings with orange wash at leading edge behavior: males hold territory at moving water sites; often perch with head lower than abdomen females oviposit while in tandem; sometimes the female even goes totally underwater nymph: long and skinny with long gills habitat: moving water
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male & female - AZ male & female - AZ female - AZ teneral female - AZ multiple images - AZ multiple images - AZ multiple images - AZ male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA female - CA female - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA multiple images - CA male - CO female - CO female - CO male - NM male - NM male - NM male - NM female - NM male & appendages - NV male - NV male - NV male - NV male - NV female - NV female - NV female - NV exuvia- NV male - UT multiple images male - UT multiple images female - UT Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA female - CA male - NM male - UT male - UT female - UT male - USA female - USA	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) similar species: very similar to Canyon Rubyspot, which has smoky edged wing-tips: here is a comparison site behavior: males hold territory at moving water sites; often perch with head lower than abdomen & wings held together to one side of abdomen habitat: open streams, rivers SW flight period: March 10 - Dec. 31 SW distribution: all Southwestern states Southwestern distribution map Information on California Odonata website
Photos male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ males - AZ male & female - AZ comparison shot Am. & Canyon females - AZ female - AZ female - AZ female - AZ multiple images - AZ male - NM male - NM male - NM female - NM male - UT male - USA Scans male - USA female - USA	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: here is a comparison site behavior: males hold territory at moving water sites; usually don't hold wings together to one side of abdomen as Am.Rubyspots do habitat: canopied streams, rivers SW flight period: March 3 - November 18 SW distribution: AZ, NM, NV, UT Southwestern distribution map
Photos male & female - TX male - TX male & female, drawings Scans 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 behavior: males hold territory at moving water sites; usually don't hold wings together to one side of abdomen as Am.Rubyspots do habitat: sandy-bottomed streams, rivers SW flight period: June 6 - August 18 SW distribution: AZ, NM Southwestern distribution map

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Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing
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