Sightings – Damselflies
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/21/10
Observation Time: 10:40 a.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Aurora Damsel
Scientific Name: Chromagrion conditum
Comments: When perched, the aurora damsel keeps its wings spread, unlike other damselflies that fold their wings above their abdomens.
More Information: Visiting Nature
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/6/11
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Eastern Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura verticalis
More Information: Nature Inquiries
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/14/09
Observation Time: 11:20 a.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
Scientific Name: Calopteryx maculata
Comments: Common along shallow forested streams. Adults perch on vegetation within a few feet of the water. Males are territorial and perform fluttering courtship displays. Females, which are bronze-colored with a distinctive white dot at the tops of their wings, oviposit in floating vegetation, often with the male guarding nearby.
More Information: Iowa State University BugGuide
Here’s a shot of a pair of ebony jewelwing damselflies at Beaver Brook, taken on 8/14/09. This photo shows an irridescent male guarding a bronze-colored female with the characteristic white dot at the top edge of her wings.
Male perched on vegetation in Beaver Brook.
Clear water flowing in Beaver Brook following unusually wet summer weather, 8/14/09.
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/2/11
Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Elegant Spreadwing damselfly
Scientific Name: Lestes inaequalis
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/25/10
Observation Time: 10:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond outflow pool
Common Name: Familiar Bluet
Scientific Name: Enallagma civile
Comments: The familiar bluet is a damselfly. Damselflies are typically skinnier than dragonflies, and they fold their wings over their abdomen when at rest.
More Information: North American Insects and Spiders
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/19/13
Observation Time: 2:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Fragile Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura posita
Comments: This is the male. The female is blue rather than green.
More Information: NatureSearch
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/7/11
Observation Time: 5:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Fragile Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura posita
Comments: Fragile forktail damselflies are common in Massachusetts wetlands. This one is shown perched on a purple loosestrife leaf that had been chewed by Galerucella beetle larvae, which were introduced by the Neponset River Watershed Association to control invasive exotic purple loosestrife.
More Information: BugGuide
male:
female:
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/19
Observation Time: 4:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Fragile Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura posita
Comments: This is the male. The female is blue rather than green.
More Information: Odonata Central
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/2/11
Observation Time: 5:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Lilypad forktail damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura kellicotti
Comments: A southern species that appears to have increased in Massachusetts lately. This specimen is the red form of the female. There is also a blue form. Males are bright blue.
More Information: Odonata Central
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Lilypad forktail damselfly
Scientific Name: Ischnura kellicotti
Comments: A southern species that appears to have increased in Massachusetts lately. This specimen is the red form of the female. There is also a blue form. Males are bright blue.
More Information: Wisconsin Odonata Survey
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/19/13
Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Orange bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma signatum
Comments: The orange bluet has a long flight season. It’s from early March to early November. This bluet is unusual in that it is most active in the late afternoon. It is often found near slow moving streams, ponds, and pools with still waters.
More Information: Wikipedia or Fotki
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/1/11
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Orange bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma signatum
Comments: These small orange damselflies were darting about all over the surface of the pond, occasionally alighting on floating weeds. Some were mating.
The first two photos are males and the third female.
More Information: Wikipedia or Fotki
Observer: John Baur
Observation Date: 7/1/11
Observation Time: 2:50 p.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Scarlet Bluet
Scientific Name: Enallagma pictum
Comments: This species is listed as threatened by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP).
More Information: MA NHESP
Observer: Vin Zollo
Observation Date: 6/15/13
Observation Time: 11:02 a.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Common Name: Slender Spreadwing damselfly
Scientific Name: Lestes rectangularis
Comments: Billings Farm Loop Boardwalk
More Information: BugGuide
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/19/13
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Turquoise Bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma divagans
More Photos: The Hibbits Network
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/2/11
Observation Time: 2:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Turquoise Bluet damselfly
Scientific Name: Enallagma divagans
Comments: The final two shots are of a mating pair.
More Information: BugGuide.net
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/20/11
Observation Time: 5:05 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Variable Dancer damselfly
Scientific Name: Argia fumipennis
Comments: Note the forked shoulder stripe, overall violet, with blue at the end of the abdomen. The last photo is a female.
More Information: Wisonsin Odonata Survey