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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

male:

female:

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

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

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

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.

More Information: Wikipedia or Fotki

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