This is an all blue, medium-sized Bluet approximately 1 1/2 inches in length. The male has blue eyes, a blue thorax with a black shoulder stripe and a mostly blue abdomen with black marks between the segments. Segments 6 and 7 have larger black markings. Females are similar to males except that they are a lighter blue and the dorsal surface of the abdomen is mostly black. Females also can have 2 other color forms, olive green and light brown.
This is a very common pond damsel. It can be found at all the still water and stream areas in Fontenelle Forest all summer. The juveniles leave the water and feed in fields until ready to mate when they return to the water.
Familiar Bluets will colonize newly established areas such as borrow pits, as well as traditional sites. After mating, the pair oviposits in tandem in algae, roots or other vegetation. The female oviposits first on the upper surfaces then after about 30 minutes she descends under water on plant stems. She can remain there for over an hour. The male separates from her before she goes under water and perches nearby to guard the area from other males. She climbs back up a plant stem when finished laying eggs.
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