Common Name

Archaic Name

Habitat/Flight Dates

*Photo/scan at website

Pond Damsels

aka Stalk-winged or Narrow-winged

Photos of metamorphosis

sizes: mostly small, some med.; lengths 20 - 47 mm

description: males and some females brightly colored;
usually blue and black with varying degrees of blue on abdomens;
clear wings with small stigma are narrow at base

females: more stout than males;
most are tan where the males are blue but some are colored male-like

behavior: wings held sail-like over abdomen when perched;
possibly more than one generation per year

habitats: quite variable, still waters, quiet streams

CA Dragonflies p. 57

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 5

CA Insects-p46 #19, 20

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 91

*Pond Damsels of the Southwest

*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ

size: small, stout-bodied; length 23 -28 mm

male: males are red & black, females tan

habitat: associated with sedges and reeds

Photo by Kathy Biggs

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 84

*The Red Damsels of the Southwest

Western Red Damsel

aka Southwestern Short Damselfly

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo tandem pair
photo tandem pair
photo mating pair
photo mating pair
photo mating pair
photo female
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male - OR
scan female
scan pair

CA distribution map

male: bright red abdomen; black head, black thorax, black top of eyes;
thorax and face are quite hairy; segments 3-6 with black rings;
segments 8 -10 mostly black; legs are dark closest to body

female: pale peach to reddish; thorax tawny; no black

nymph: small, dumpy, short-legged

similar species: Desert Firetail has no black on abdomen; red legs

habitat: shallow marshy ponds, lakes with hard substrate; slow streams in hillsides and mountains

flight period: April - September

distribution: more common in cooler areas of state

CA Dragonflies p. 78

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 88-89; pl. 14

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 118

Stokes Guide p. 76

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

The Dancers

image of 3 pairs

image of 3 pairs

sizes: medium, lengths 27 - 47 mm

males: most males: blue (or violet) & black; eyes often a dark blue color but not black; leg hairs 2X as long as space between them; 4th leg joint has 2 rows stiff bristles: 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);
alight more frequently in open spaces on rocks &/or wood rather than on vegetation;
perch with wings held well up and over back, sail-like; 'clap' wings together when approached;
more likely at moving waters; tandem oviposit;
eggs laid on floating, often water-logged vegetation;
colors dim with low temperatures

Photo by Kathy Biggs

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 50-51, 52

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 91

*The Dancers of the Southwest

*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo male new early flight data
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan 'cold' male
scan male/3 species
scan pair
scan female

CA distribution map

male: bright blue and black; fairly broad dark stripe top of thorax;
thorax has divided side stripe - can look like a split sideways "Y";
the split side stripe can be interrupted
blue & black down most of abdomen length; blue intrusions into the black bands at sides of mid-abdominal segments;
usually a stripe (not dot) on segment 2; blue 'tail' near abdomen end (segs 8-10);

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

similar species: A. nahuana (Aztec Dancer);
need in hand to differentiate by appendages
but on Calif. Dancer there is usually a stripe on segment 2, on Aztec usually a spot: feature not 100% reliable

behavior: often perch on rocks or wood, not vegetation

habitat: rivers, streams

distribution: common statewide; records incomplete

flight period: late February - early November

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 52; 58-59; pl. 7

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 99

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by Eric Preston at his Photography, Damselflies website

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos by John Sterling at his California dragonflies website

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male new early flight data
photo female
photo female
photo female

scan immature male
scans male
scans male
scans male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: smaller than most other dancers; side thoracic stripe divided 'Y'-like; wings clear but with dark veins;
abdomen mostly dark with the contrasting coloring grayish purple except 'blue tail' segments 8&9;
color spots behind eyes quite small;
2 views appendages

female: same markings, wings, but can be brown not bluish

habitat: marshy streams/ponds in arid areas

similar species: abdomen like a Blue-ringed Dancers, but not so distinctly marked or colorful

flight period: late February - December

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 27; 52; 55-56; pl. 6

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 107

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders

*Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties, CA

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photos by Roy Beckemyer at Winds of Kansas, DSA CA '03 site

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair
photo pair
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos male-colored female
photo female

scan male
scans male
scan male top
scan immature male
scan male
scan male/3 species
scan pair
scan female
scan female

CA distribution map

male: thoracic side stripe pinched at middle;
black stripe on top of thorax is narrow, straight;
abdomen is lavender color and black with segments 8 and 9 blue

female: gray/yellow-tan where male is blue or male-like; pale stigma

similar species: top thoracic stripe thinner than Vivid Dancer's;
lacks sm. triangular dark spots on sides of abd. Vivid Dancers have;
use appendages to differentiate;
Lavender Dancers have forked side stripe, wider top thoracic stripe;
females are yellowier than Vivid Dancer females; not likely at seeps

habitat: rocky streams, rivers

flight period: March - October

distribution: most common in central and northern California

CA Dragonflies p. 61

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 61-62; pl. 8

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 102

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photo at Eric Preston Photography, Damselflies

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies of San Diego and Imperial Counties, CA

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Scans male/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

Lavender Dancer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair
photo female

scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: abdomen & thorax top lavender-blue & black;
sides of thorax have split stripe; white below split side stripe; wide dark stripe atop thorax;
blue on top of segments 4 & 5 not restricted just to center; covers ~80%;
use appendages to differentiate

female: abdomen & thorax similar to male in pattern;
turquoise blue `tail' is not solid but appears to have dark intrusions on sides

flight period: May - October

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 25; 52; 57-58; pl. 7

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 105

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Don Roberson at Don's ODONates

*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonates website

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

*Photos by Martin Reid at Birds, Bugs and Beyond

photo male - NV
photo male - NV
photo male - NV
photo female - NV
photo female

scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: thorax side stripe wide and irregular in shape;
abdomen - blue/lavender & black;
blue coloring on segments 4 & 5 restricted beginning and then center portion of segment

female: can develop sooty lavender pruinosity

flight period: collected only once, on a May 30th many years ago

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 56-57; pl. 6

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 99

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell
at Damselflies of Texas

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female

scans male
scan male
scans brown form female
scans blue form female

CA distribution map

male: darker, less colorful than other Dancers;
mostly dull and dark, developing a blue-tinged sooty colored pruinosity;
pale ring around each segment; unlike all but one other CA Dancer, has no blue near abdomen end;
dark eyes; upper legs yellow; wings with dark veins;
immatures show intricate patterning on thorax sides, similar to female's

female: patterned brown thorax, abdomen;
there is also a blue colored form

similar species: larger, more robust than other Dancers or any of the Forktails; Powdered Dancer occurs only in the south & is paler in coloration;
can use appendages to help differentiate

behavior: tend to perch on rocks

habitat: creeks and rivers - moving water

flight period: April - October

distribution: common statewide

CA Dragonflies p. 76

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 26; 51, 53; pl. 5

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 110

*Scans CA male by Kathy Biggs at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Scan male and female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by Eric Preston at his Photography, Damselflies website

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

photo male
photo female

scans male
scan male
scan male
scan male-colored female
scan female
scan young female
scan pair

CA distribution map

male: pruinose thorax is chalky powder blue colored;
upper parts of abd segments 3-6 black-brown;
can use appendages to help differentiate

female: thorax is coppery or sky blue

habitat: sunlit rocky shores of streams/rivers/lakes

flight period: April - November

distribution: southern part of state only

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 28; 53-54; pl. 5

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 111

Stokes Guide p. 69

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonates Photos Website

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas

*Photos of emergence by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County, Texas

*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata

*Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo pair
photo ovipositing pairs

scan male

scan male
scan male/3 species
scan female

CA distribution map

male: blue and black;
black line on thorax creates a sideways "Y" - this is sometimes interrupted

similar species: A. agrioides (California Dancer);
appendages differentiate
but on Aztec Dancer there is usually a dot on segment 2, on Calif. usually a stripe: feature not 100% reliable

habitat: springs, creeks

flight period: April - early November

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 52; 54-55; pl. 6

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 99

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Scan by Kathy Biggs at Southwest Damselflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell
at Damselflies of Texas

photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female

scans male
scan female
scan female

CA distribution map

male: black abdomen has narrow blue rings separating sections;
blue top of segments 8 - 10; thorax has wide dark side and top stripe;
wings dark veined, amber tinged;
can use appendages to help differentiate

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

habitat: sunny sections of ponds & rivers

flight period: February - December

distribution: southern counties

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 113

Stokes Guide p. 48

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders

*Scans at South West Dragonflies

*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonates Photos Website

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell
at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo male/female by Omar Bocanegra
at The Odonata of Tarrant County, TX

*Photos by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies

*Photo by Curtis William
at Odonata Photo Archive

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male with mites
photo immature male
close-up photo male
close-up photo male
photo male & female
photo tandem pair
photo pair in wheel
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan odd pair

CA distribution map

male: vivid blue with black markings;
stripe on top of thorax has wide urn shape;
dark stripe on thorax side disappears or is `pinched' at mid-length;
middle abdomen segments have small triangular black side spots

female: same markings; can be colored male-like or tan/gray /brown where male is blue

similar species: very similar to Emma's Dancer -see comparison;
can use appendages to help differentiate

habitat: mostly streams or seeps; wanders

flight period: January - December;
apparently capable of flight all year if it is warm enuf

distribution: common statewide

CA Dragonflies p. 60

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 52; 60-61; pl. 8

CA Insects p. 46 #20, & pl 1b

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 100

Stokes Guide p. 66

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photo by Curtis William at Odonata Photo Archive

male: very similar to Enallagma; blue & black

habitat: boreal;
associated with reedy margins of streams/rivers

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 63

CA+SW Dragonflies - inside dust cover

*The Eurasian Bluets of the Southwest

Taiga Bluet

photo male
photo pair
photo female

scan male - OR
scan pair
scan pair - OR
scans female

CA distribution map

male: thorax - wide dark shoulder stripe; blue stripes on top often interupted;
middle segments at least 50% black;
black markings 2nd segment U-shaped;
thorax sides can be green tinged;
use appendages to help differentiate

female: several forms - turquoise, gray/green or tan/black; large eyespots

habitat: slow/still/shaded waters in mts.;
sedge marshes/lakes/streams/rivers;
prefers still, shaded water

flight period: May - August

distribution: fairly rare in state

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 26; 63-64; pl9

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 97

Stokes Guide p. 61

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos and scans at Southwest dragonflies

*Scans male/females (both forms) by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photo by Nick Donnelley at Donnelley's CA Species site

*Photograph by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts

*Photo by D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata

The American Bluets

photo of a Bluet swarm

males : bright blue & black patterned;
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 of a dark blue color;
the black line on side of thorax often makes a 'jag' or 'bend' 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 under 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

Photo by Bob Claypole

CA Dragons & Damsels 10; 64-65

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 91

*The American Bluets of the Southwest

*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ

photo male
photo male
photos males & pairs
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: abdomen patterned blue and black;
upper appendages noticeably longer than lowers, slightly forked, with the top fork extending well beyond lower appendages and angled downward (without a 'button' on end)

similar species: Arroyo Bluet, Tule Bluet and Familiar Bluet (use CA key)

female: tan and dark

habitat: slow streams & lakes

distribution: found east of the Sierra Nevada;
also found in the Great Basin

flight period: June - September

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 27; 68-69; pl. 10

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 94

*Photo by John Sterling at his Odonates website

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photos by Roy Beckemyer at Winds of Kansas, DSA '03 site

*Photo at Iowa Odonates

*Photo of female by John Acorn - Alberta

photo male
photo male
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo female
photo feeding female

scan male'05
scan male'07
scan male'01
scan male'02
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: the middle segments are more blue than black;
thorax top has a conspicuous black stripe;
thorax side stripe is undivided with a jag near the front;
lower appendages are much longer than upper ones

female: much less blue, or tan and black

similar species: almost identical to Boreal Bluet and similar to Alkali Bluet;
told apart by habitat and appendages

habitat: slow waters of marshes, lakes, ponds, streams or rivers

flight period: April - November

distribution: very common statewide

CA Dragonflies p. 57, 58

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 65-66; pl. 9

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 92

Stokes Guide p. 56

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News

photo male
photo pair
photo female

scan male (AZ)
scan female(AZ)

CA distribution map

male: petite; blue and black; blue eye spots connected;
both top and side thoracic stripes `doubled' (thin blue line down middle of dark stripes);
blue on end of 'tail' thin, appearing to contain small bluer circles;
upper appendages longest and held in divergent position;

female: like male but can be pale where male is blue;
has pale eye stripe

habitat: ponds, lakes, and ditches

distribution: southern species, rare in state;
found east of the Sierra Nevada and near Arizona border

flight period: late May - October

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 28; 73; pl. 10

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 96

*Photos by Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell and Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County

*Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata

*Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates

*Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research

*Photo by Paul D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata

photos males
photo male
photo males
photo males+
photo tandem pair
photo pair
photo pair
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: blue & black: middle segments mostly blue;
segment 8 pale above;
thorax top with conspicuous black stripe;
thorax dark side stripe undivided, fairly even width;
lower appendages much longer than uppers

similar species: very difficult to distinguish from Northern Bluet; must use appendages to differentiate from almost identical Northern Bluet

habitat: slow/cool waters: marshes/lakes/ponds/bogs/streams/rivers;
found in mountains, not in central valley

flight period: late March - September

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 66-67 pl. 9

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 92

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Doug Aguillard at at his Dragonfly Photos

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photo of adult & nymph by Mark McPeek at Michigan State U.

Photo male by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female

scan male'05
scan male'07
scan male'02
scan male'02
scan male'01
scan male'01
scan male'04
scan female'01
scan male and female

CA distribution map

male: more black than blue;
3rd abdominal segment = or >50% black;
segments 8 and 9 blue;
'button' on end of upper appendages

female: unlike most other Bluets, no blue on top of segment # 8;
shows much more black than male, or is tan

similar species: Arroyo Bluet, River Bluet and Familiar Bluet;
use appendages to differentiate

habitat: lakes, ponds, slow streams

flight period: February - late October

distribution: common statewide

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 70-71; pl. 10

CA Dragonflies p. 63

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 95

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at his Dragonflies of California

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at his Odoata Photography Website

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photo by James Durban at Iowa Odonates

*Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo male
photo male
photo pair in wheel
photo pair ovipositing
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: bright blue appearance; markings more blue than black;
3rd abdominal segment < 50% black;
when seen from the side, the blue areas on abdomen are more straight up & down, rather than somewhat angled as in many other Bluets;
top appendages with a 'button' on underside of tip and noticeably longer than lower ones; appear splayed when viewed from above

female: less colorful

similar species: Northern, Boreal, & Alkali Bluets have lower appendages the longest; blue areas more angled than on E. civile;
Arroyo Bluet, River Bluet and Tule Bluet are also similar;
use appendages to differentiate

behavior: bluets fly low over water along shoreline;
tandem oviposits on underwater plants floating at surface

habitat: slow waters with abundant vegetation;
but also even cattle tanks, and brackish waters;
charactersitic species at disturbed areas;
tolerates organic pollution

flight period: February - December

distribution: esp. common in Central Valley & so. CA lowlands

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 71-72; pl. 10

CA Dragonflies p. 59

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 93

Stokes Guide p. 54-5

*Photo at Photos by William Zittrich in California

* Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Scan at Southwest Dragonflies

*Scan at Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata

*Scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas

*Photos by James Lasswell and Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County, Texas

*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose at his homepage

*Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates

*Photos by Mark O'Brien at THE MICHIGAN Photo Archive

*Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo pair

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female

CA distribution map

male: middle segments half-blue, half-black;
side thoracic stripe thin and somewhat pinched (somewhat similar to a Dancer's);
use appendages to differentiate

female: more robust with pale areas yellow/greenish tinge
solid cream-colored top to abdomen segment #8

habitat: found at alkaline lakes

distribution:Great Basin; east side of Sierra Nevada; not found in central valley

flight period: May - September

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 27; 52; 67-68; pl. 9

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 92

*Photos of male by Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies and Damselfies of San Diego and Imperial Co, CA

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly/Damselfly Photography

*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonates photography site

*Photos by Roy Beckemeyer at Winds of Kansas, DSA CA'03 site

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photo of female by Roy Beckemeyer at Odonata Photo Album

*Photo of male by Nicky Davis at Wild Utah, Dragonflies and Damselflies

*Photo of male by Nicky Davis at Wild Utah, Dragonflies and Damselflies

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female

scan male
scan female

California distribution map

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

CA flight period: June - ~October

distribution: VERY RARE; report & document all sightings

*Photo by Richard Bledsoe's Public Gallery website
*Photos at the Arizona Dragonflies

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

photo male - NV
photo male
photo male's appendages
photo female

scan male '05
scan male
scan male
scan male & female
scan female

CA distribution map

male: middle abdomen segments mostly black;
blue on top of abdomen segments # 3-7 is 50% less than
on each previous one;
thorax: one dark side stripe;
upper and lower appendages about the same length;
upper appendages forked with lower fork pointed rearward

similar species: Tule Bluet, River Bluet and Familiar Bluet;
use appendages to differentiate

habitat: ponds

flight period: April - November

distribution: lowlands

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 69-70; pl. 10

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 95

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos by John Sterling at Odonates Websiste

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

The Forktails

Photo by Pete Haggard

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 18; 75-85

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 91

*The Forktails of the Southwest

*Information and images by James Robinson at Odonate Research at UTA

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos males
photos male
comparison photos Rambur's & Desert males
photo female
photo pair in wheel

scan male
scan male
scan male
comparative scan Ramburs/Desert males
comparative scan Ramburs/Desert males
scan male (Colusa Co.)
scan male(Colusa Co.)
scan male(Colusa Co.)
scan male(Colusa Co.)
scan male(Imperial Co.)
scan pair
scan pair

CA distribution map

male: colored stripe on thorax side often greener than rest of thorax; fairly wide;
tear-shaped colored spots back of eyes connected by a thin line;
males greenish-blue on segments 1-3,
yellowish-orange under 3-7 showing through on segment tops & leaving 'dart-like' black area;
blue 'tip' surrounds segments 8 & 9, underside of #7 & 10;
appendages upward pointing is diagnostic, see illustration

female: 2 or more forms: colored like male or pale tawny-orange;
top of thorax either with narrow or no stripe;
olive form female also exists and females may become somewhat pruinose

similar species: males very similar to Rambur's Forktail; same habitat; amount of blue on 'tail' and width of thoracic side stripe and shape of & lack of line between eye spots help make determination; use appendages for final differentiation

flight period: March - November

distribution: only in southern CA - and Bear Creek @ Sulphur Creek in Yuba County

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 28; 79-80; pl. 13

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 121

*Photo by Bob Miller at Southwest Birders, CA

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photo by John Sterling at his Odonate Photos

*Scan of pair by Kathy Biggs at Southwest Damselflies

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo of pair by Roy Beckemeyer
at Odonata Photo Album

*Scan by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo male
photo male
photo teneral male
photo pair
photo pair
photo pair
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo young female
photo young female
photo young female
photo young female
photo immature female
photo male-colored female
photo male-colored female
photo male-colored female
photos nymph

scans male
scan male side
scan male top
scan female
scan female
scan female
scan male-colored female

CA distribution map

male: abdomen black with blue only on segments 8 & 9;
blue on 'tail' top and bottom touch along sides
black thorax top has four tiny blue spots, one at each `corner';
thorax blue on sides;
can use appendages to help differentiate

female: colors and patterns change with maturity;
usually stripes on top of thorax; pale stigma;
immature shows pinkish/red colored large eye spots connected by thin line; blue atop segment 8;
mature female becomes all dark pruinose; eye spots can be small, circular
abdomen tip pattern - two narrow blue rings bracketing segment 8;
all ages have pale stigma;
comparison scans of mature female Pacific & Western Forktails
less common form is similar to male with the 4 dots larger
nymph are greenish

habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks and slow streams

flight period: February - December; possible in Jan. in so. CA
usually California's first dragonfly of spring

distribution: California's most common damselfly

CA Dragonflies p. 67

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 81-82; pl. 12

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 124

Stokes Guide p. 73

*Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of California site

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo young male
photo teneral male
photo pair in-wheel
photo female
photo female
photos female
photo female
photo teneral female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan females with male

CA distribution map

male: mostly dark above and light below;
sides of thorax blue or green;
no stripes or dots on top of thorax;
blue spots are on segments 8 & 9 (NOT 10);
the blue patches on the top and bottom of segments 8 and 9 do not touch each other;
stigma has white at rear;
frail; appendages bent down;
use appendages to differentiate from SF Forktail

female: similar to male but can be pinkish on the head/thorax;
stripe on thorax shows a jag near prothorax;
pair of tubercles on top of prothorax;
does not become pruinose

similar species: compare to San Francisco Forktail, Ischnura gemina, its 'twin';
I. denticollis is slightly less robust of the two;
SF Forktail does not have white rear margin on stigma;
compare the two using appendages: up-pointing or bent down;
final identification should be done in hand by appendage shape if white stigma margin is not noted

habitat: lakes, ponds, the delta, seeps with abundant vegetation

flight period: February - December

distribution: statewide, but more common in the south

CA Dragonflies p. 68

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 82-83; pl. 12

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 125

*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site"

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by Eric Preston at his Photography, Damselflies website

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

*Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female

scan male
scan male
scans male & female
scan female
scan female

CA distribution map

male: blue stripes on top of thorax with black in center;
large for a forktail; blue on thorax sides is similar in shape to blue on sides of Bluets;
blue on sides has a dark line coming in from the back at mid-height;
dark stigma has a pale tip; dark abdomen has floating blue atop segments # 8 - 9;
lower appendages are much longer than uppers; long enough to be seen thru binoculars

female: all dark abdomen with green coloration sides of thorax, eye spots, & thoracic side stripes; or, like male

similar species: somewhat larger & more boldly marked than other similarly dark Ischnura species;
continuous blue side stripe, not the !! of the similarly sized Exclamation Damsel;
Western Forktails are smaller, the stigma is all-dark and the blue at tip of abdomen is usually joined top and bottom, with an intrusion of dark;
use appendages to differentiate

habitat: ponds and creeks in coastal areas

flight period: February - September

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 24; 75-76; pl. 11

CA+SW Dragonflies - inside of dust jacket

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by Eric Preston at his Photography Pages - Damselflies

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Western Odonata Scans in Life

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo pair in wheel

scans male
scans male
scans males
scans male 2001
scan male
scan male & female
scans female

CA distribution map

male: thorax top and abdomen dark; blue spots on segments 8 and 9;
underside chartreuse; stigma does not show white margin at rear;
appendages up-pointing;

female: cryptic brown, reddish, or male-like

similar species: very similar to I. denticollis,
hence the Latin name `gemina' for twin; I. gemina is slightly more robust;
compare the two using appendages: up-pointing or bent down;
eye spots back of head are more circular in shape than Western's or Pacific's

habitat: weedy ditches; often near salt water

flight period: March - November

distribution: endemic; S.F. Bay Area; Santa Cruz (historical);
RARE: Please report all sightings

CA Dragonflies p. 69

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 25; 82; 83-84; pl. 12

*Photo by Eric Preston at his Phtotography site

*Information by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

photo male
photo male
photo pair
photo female
immature female

scans male
scan male - TX
scan female

CA distribution map

male: male thoracic stripes green; abdomen is long proportionately;
abdomen mostly yellow (inc. `tailtip') above & below, with some black;
wings have unusual stigmas: they are different on fore and hind wing:
forewing has pale reddish brown stigma that is NOT on the leading edge;
hindwing has more usual dark stigma on hind wing;
use appendages to differentiate

female: immature orange & black with seg. 1-4 mostly orange; mature turns pale pruinose; striped eyes

habitat: grassy seeps/marshes/lakes/ponds/streams/rivers

distribution: southern CA only;
tolerates organic pollution

flight period: March - October

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 28; 84-85; pl. 13

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 122

Stokes Guide p. 75

*Photo by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies of San Diego and Imperial Counties website

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos & scans by James Lasswell
at Damselflies of Texas

*Photo & Info by J. Robinson at Odonate Research UTA

*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County

*Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates

*Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News

*Photo by D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata

photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair in-wheel
photo pruinose female
photo pruinose female
photo pruinose female
photo pruinose female
photo pruinose female
photo female
photo immature female
photo immature female
photo teneral female
photo male-colored female

scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan immature female

CA distribution map

male: dark abdomen with blue on segments 8-9/10 only;
blue color more greenish or aqua marine than most other CA Forktails;
black stripes on sides of segments 8-10;
top of thorax and sides dark with blue-green stripes;
noticeable fine pale rings across each segment;
blue spot between the blue 'back-of-eyes' spots;
can use appendages to help differentiate

female: emerges orange-ish, becomes completely pale pruinose;
comparison scans of mature female Western & Pacific Forktails

behavior:females only mate once; lay eggs alone over a period of days; signal approaching males that they are not intersted in sex by curling their 'tail' downward when approached!

habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks and slow streams

flight period: March - November

distribution: very common

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 77-78; pl. 11

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 123

Stokes Guide p. 70-1

*Photo by Joshua Rose
his Dragonfly Pics site"

*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata

*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages

*Photos by John Sterling at Sterling Odonata Photos

*Photos by Don Roberson at The Damselflies & Dragonflies of Monterey County, California

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Scans males/females by Dennis R. Paulson at WA Odonata Gallery

photo male
photos males
photo male
photo pair
photos pairs
photos pairs
comparison photos Rambur's & Desert males
photo female
photo female
photos/story of hordes

scan male
comparison scans Desert & Rambur's males
comparative scan Ramburs/Desert males
scans orange females & male-colored forms
scan male-colored female
scan male-colored female

CA distribution map

size: 27 - 36 mm

male: very similar to Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi but greener in coloration; colored side stripe on thorax is thin;
spots of color behind eyes are not connected;
greenish-blue on segments 1-3; yellowish-orange under segments 3-7;
blue tip on tail only surrounds all of segment 8; part of 9; none of 10;
appendages downward pointing is diagnostic; see illustration

female: polymorphic, some look like male and some are colored very differently, starting out almost Day-Glo red/orange and black with wide black stripe down top of thorax; the orange becomes obscured with age and the coloring turns mostly brownish-olive;
upper surface of the abdomen solid black, not orangish
male-colored form mimics male coloration AND body shape

similar species: bery similar to Desert Forktail; same habitat; but greener in coloration, thinner stripe on side of thorax and blue tail rings differ; use appendages to differentiate

behavior: perch on vegetation

habitat: ponds/lakes/slow streams:
This species is probably increasing in the Southwest, from which it was first recorded not many years ago. It does well in human-altered environments

flight period: February - December

distribution: southern California

CA+SW Dragonflies - p. 120

Stokes Guide p. 72

*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties

*Scan at Dragonflies Southwest Dragonflies

*Photo by John Sterling at his Odonate Photos

*Photos and scans at the Southwest Dragonflies

*Photos at Arizona Odonates

*Photos by Omar Bocanegra
at The Odonata of Tarrant County

*Photos at Damselflies of Texas

*Pictures of two color morphs of females at Odonate Research at UTA

*Photo female by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research

*Photo male by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research

CA Dragons & Damsels p. 85-86

*