This large damselfly is about 1.50 to 2.00 inches or 37 to 50 mm in length. The male is more colorful with red eyes and mostly metallic red head and thorax. The abdomen is iridescent green growing darker with age. The wings are clear with bright red basal wing patches and white stigmas. The female has light brown eyes, a brown thorax with white stripes, and a metallic green and brown abdomen. Her wings are a clear light brown with varying amounts of red (or no red) at the base and white stigmas. Both sexes have heavily veined wings.
This damselfly occurs coast to coast in North America. It is considered to be uncommon in this area. It is found along clear flowing streams where there is vegetation for perching.
This damselfly was first found in Fontenelle Forest in mid July 2012. As many as 30 individuals were seen on the South and North Streams in places where there is a noticeable current. This area was flooded in the 2011 Missouri River flood. These damselflies are found in clear, flowing streams and rivers of all sizes with shore vegetation for perching and submerged vegetation for oviposition.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Babs Padelford.