Damselflies – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Lilypad Forktail Damselfly 6-9-20

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

Fragile Forktail damselfly – 6/9/19

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

Variable Dancer damselfly – 6/20/11

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

Turquoise Bluet damselfly – 6/19/13

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

Turquoise Bluet damselfly – 6/2/11

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

Slender Spreadwing Damselfly – 6/15/13

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

Scarlet Bluet – 7/1/11

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

Orange Bluet damselfly – 6/19/13

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. […]

Orange Bluet damselfly – 7/1/11

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

Lilypad Forktail Damselfly – 7/2/11

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

Fragile Forktail Damselfly – 6/19/13

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

Fragile Forktail Damselfly – 6/7/11

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 […]

Familiar Bluet – 7/25/10

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

Elegant Spreadwing Damselfly – 7/2/11

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

Eastern Forktail Damselfly – 6/6/11

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

Aurora Damsel – 6/21/10

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

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly – 8/14/09

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 […]