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 that go to theto 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 be able to see the 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 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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 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 - 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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
	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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 pair - NM pair - NM 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 (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in)
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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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

Damselflies (Zygoptera) of the Southwest

DAMSELFLIESof the Southwest

DAMSELFLIES - Zygoptera

Pond Damsels: Coenagrionidae

DAMSELFLIES
of the Southwest