This damselfly is approximately 1 1/2 inches in length. The male has blue eyes, a bright blue face and thorax. The thorax is mostly unmarked except for black hairline stripes. The long, thin abdomen is black except for segments 8-10 which are bright blue. Females have 2 color forms, blue and tan. The abdomen is black and thicker than the male’s abdomen. Juveniles of both sexes are tan colored. The wings are clear with black stigmas near the tip. The legs of this species, as well as all the Dancers, have long spines on the tibia. These spines are twice as long as the space between the spines.
This species is found along rivers and large streams, but occasionally can be seen around lakes and ponds. It is a very common damselfly in Nebraska. It is probably common along the Missouri River in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in mid-summer.
These dancers are most likely to be seen perching on the ground, rocks or logs. Mating occurs while the pair is perched on a weed. Pairs in tandem oviposit, sometimes in groups, on floating debris, algae and horizontal logs and stems. Egg-laying peaks at mid-day and takes 1-2 hours.
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