Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) in the Christopher B. Smith Preserve

Order Odonata Characteristics: "Odonata" means "the toothed-ones" and refers to the fact that members of the order have large jaws and sharp teeth. One hundred-fifty-four identified species of odonates (108 dragonflies and 46 damselflies) breed in Florida. All stages are predaceous and feed on insects and other organisms. Members of the order have chewing mouth parts and incomplete metamorphosis (egg, larval ... aka naiad, and adult stages).

Immature members are aquatic and adults are terrestrial. A larva breathes with gills and has extendible lower lips that lunge out to seize prey. A mature larva crawls out of the water onto a plant stem or rock and undergoes a final molt to become an adult. As an adult, it has four elongate, many-veined, membranous wings, strengthened by a network of wing veins and pleats. Blood is circulated through the wing veins by a special pump-like, small, heart located at the base of the wings. Also, each adult has many-faceted, large, compound eyes; very small and bristle-like antennae; a small and compact thorax; and a long, slender abdomen. One-segmented cerci are used as a clasping organ by males. After mating, the female lays her eggs in or near water. The average maximum adult lifespan is three to four weeks.

Separation of adult members of the order is based primarily on characteristics of the wings; however size, shape, color, and manner of flight are also useful. There are two suborders: Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies) and Suborder Zygoptera (Damselflies.)

Suborder Anisoptera: Dragonfly larvae have gills in the form of ridges in the rectum. Dragonfly adults have the bases of their hind wings broader than the front wings. The Suborder name "Anisoptera" means "unequal wing." As shown in this photograph, individuals hold their wings horizontally when at rest. Wing tips have blisters of blood called "stigmata or stigma", Greek for "mark" or "brand." The stigma are believed to add weight to the wings and reduce vibrations, improving flight efficiency. Some dragonflies also have colorful areas on the hindwings called basal wing markings. Males and females may be similarly colored, but the male is frequently brighter. In some cases, males and females have very different coloration. A male can be identified by the three appendages at the end of the abdomen, which it uses to clasp a female. There are seven families of dragonflies in Florida.

Suborder Zygoptera: Damselfly larvae have gills that are three leaf-like structures at the end of the abdomen. Damselfly front and hind wings are similar in shape and narrow at the base. The Suborder name "Zygoptera" means "similar wings." As shown in this photograph, most damselflies hold their wings together above their body when at rest. Their eyes are widely separated which give them good depth perception. Males and females usually differ in color and the males' color is usually more vibrant. Some female damselflies have two or more different color phases, and non-breeding individuals may have an additional color pattern. A male has four appendages at the end of its abdomen, which it uses to clasp a female. There are three families of damselflies in Florida.

Interactions in the Smith Preserve: Dragonflies feed on a variety of small insects, which they catch on the wing in a basket-like arrangement of legs. They can spin 360˚ and reach speeds of 30 mph while pursuing prey. With this great maneuverability and speed, they catch and eat 95% of the small flying insects they attack.

Dragonflies also provide food for parasites and predators. Small, round, red, water mite larvae attach to the underside of the thorax and abdomen of dragonfly larvae. Then, when an adult dragonfly emerges from its last larval molt, the mites attach to the adult. Mites feed on the blood of the host dragonfly. Eventually, mites drop off hosts, return to the water, and develop into free-living predaceous mites. Another problematic parasite of dragonflies is a tiny nocturnal gnat. On warm nights, gnats suck blood from the wings of resting dragonflies. Of its larger predators, birds are of primary importance.

Damselflies are predators of small insects, hosts for parasitic mites, and prey for fish, frogs, lizards, birds, spiders, and dragonflies.

Suborder	Family	Species Name	Common Name
Anisoptera	Aeschnidae	Anax junius	Common Green Darner
Anisoptera	Aeschnidae	Anax longipes	Comet Darner
Anisoptera	Aeschnidae	Coryphaeschna ingens	Regal Darner
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Brachymesia gravida	Four-Spotted Pennant
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Celithemis eponina	Halloween Pennant
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Crocothemis servilla	Scarlet Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Erythemis simplicicollis	Eastern Pondhawk / Common Pondhawk
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Erythrodiplax berenice	Seaside Dragonlet
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Erythrodiplax minuscula	Little Blue Dragonlet
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Erythrodiplax umbrata	Band-Winged Dragonlet
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Libellula needhami	Needham's Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Orthemis ferruginea	Roseate Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Pachydiplax longipennis	Blue Dasher Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Pantala flavescens	Wandering Glider / Globe Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Perithemis tenera	Eastern Amberwing
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Unknown	Unknown Skimmer
Anisoptera	Libellulidae	Unknown	Unknown Skimmer
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Argia sedula	Blue-Ringed Dancer
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Enallagma cardenium	Purple Bluet
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Ischnura hastata	Citrine Forktail
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Ischnura posita	Fragile Forktail
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Ischnura ramburii	Rambur's Forktail
Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	Ischnura sp.	Forktail Naiad

 

Suborder Anisoptera ... Dragonflies

Family Aeschnidae ... Darners Anax junius ... Common Green Darner All darners are large dragonflies with long, slender bodies that resemble darning needles. When seen in dorsal view, as shown in these photographs, the eyes meet for a substantial distance along the back of the head. Another characteristic all darners have is their wing veins form triangles, similar in shape and location in both forewings and hindwings. An adult Anax junius has a green thorax and its abdomen is reddish-brown on the ventral surface and blue and black on the dorsal surface. Females are slightly lighter than males in color. This individual is a male. Note the large clasper at the end of its abdomen. As shown, the Common Green Darter has a distinctive black and yellow bull's-eye in front of its eyes. This darner's breeding range includes Alaska to Panama, Hawaii to Nova Scotia, and Tahiti, Japan, and China. It prefers to live in very slow-moving fresh water, with a lot of aquatic vegetation. Adults hunt by flying high over vegetation and water. They are most active near sunset, and because they devour so many mosquitoes, they are called "mosquito hawks." Older larvae of Common Green Darners are large enough to eat small fish.   Return to top

 

 

Family Aeschnidae ... Darners Anax longipes ... Comet Darner At a quick glance, this male Comet Darner looks very similar to the male Common Green Darner above. However, there are significant differences. The male Comet Darner is larger, has extremely long red and black legs, and a red abdomen. Females and young males are harder to distinguish from the Common Green Darner. Although the Comet Darner has a color pattern in front of its eyes, the pattern is not a bull's-eye. Naiads of the Comet Darner are long and slender. When the naiads are fully developed, they can be distinguished from the Common Green Darner using characteristics of the labium (lower lip). Return to top

 

 

Family Aeschnidae ... Darners Coryphaeschna ingens ... Regal Darner As seen in the first photograph, the adult Regal Darner is very long and slender. Adult Regal Darners are 8.6 to 9.9 cm long. This dragonfly species has a green thorax with wide brown stripes. The individual in this photograph is a male. Males and immatures have green eyes; adult females have blue eyes. This male's clasping device is shown in the second photograph. An adult Regal Darter is a high flier and it is most active near sunset. Like the Common Green Darter, it is called a "mosquito hawk." Its range is the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas. A Regal Darner larva has a flattened head. Behind the eyes, its head is squared off and rectangular. The abdomen of the larva has distinctive longitudinal stripes. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Brachymesia gravida ... Four - Spotted Pennant On April 22, 2015, this dragonfly was perched on a stick protruding from the Smith Preserve pond. The pennant landed, left to flit around the area looking for insects to eat, and returned repeatedly to the perch. The species can be easily recognized by the black spot and white stigma on each of its wings, and its black legs. The length of this dragonfly is 47 to 55 mm. Immatures and females have brown thoraxes, while a mature male. like the one shown in these photographs, has a blue thorax. Four-Spotted Pennants are known to exist in sixteen (mostly coastal) states in the United States. On April 26, 2015, this dragonfly identification was confirmed from the first and third photographs as a male Four-Spotted Pennant by William Edwards, Contributing Editor of <Bugguide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Celithemis eponina ... Halloween Pennant Skimmers are the most common and most colorful dragonflies in Florida. When seen in dorsal view, the eyes meet for only a short distance along the back of the head. Another characteristic all skimmers have is their wing veins form triangles that differ in shape and location on the forewings and hindwings. The Halloween Pennant skimmer is common to central and eastern North America ponds, marshes and lakes. This skimmer is easily recognized by its large, orange wings with dark, brown markings. The wings are not transparent like most other dragonflies. It also has color bands on various segments of its abdomen. Adults are 3.8 to 4.2 cm. Females usually lay their eggs in the morning while still attached by the head to the male. Halloween Pennants are often spotted in the Smith Preserve, perched on top of dry vegetation, waiting for prey. The first two photographs were taken in the early morning. Note, both individuals are pointing their tails downward. The third photograph was taken in the afternoon. This individual is in an obelisk position, with its abdomen angled high in the air to reduce the surface area exposed directly to the sun's hot rays. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Crocothemis servilla ... Scarlet Skimmer On March 6, 2012, the individuals in the first two photographs were seen in the Smith Preserve and identified by the webmaster. On February 11, 2015, the third photograph was taken and identified from the photograph that same day as possibly a female by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. On April 26, 2015, the identification was confirmed by William Edwards, another Contributing Editor to <BugGuide.net>. The Scarlet Skimmer originated in Asia, and was accidentally introduced to Florida circa 1975. Today, it is a common species seen in the Smith Preserve. Photographs one, two, and three are females, four and five are males. A female has a white stripe on its thorax and a black stripe along its yellow abdomen. (Note: The third female does not have a yellow abdomen, instead it has an orange/brown abdomen.) A male has a thin, black stripe along its scarlet abdomen. Note: The colors of the thorax and eyes of the two sexes are different, too. To confuse sex identify, young males have the color pattern of females. But, sex can be determined by the presence of claspers on a young male. Although color variation makes individuals appear to be different species, a close examination of the wing veins shows them to be the same. In addition to the stigma, some individuals have an amber patch at the base of each hindwing, best seen in the fourth photograph. The hindwing of males is 3.1 to 3.3 cm in length and the total body length is 4 to 4.3 cm. Scarlet skimmers frequent disturbed open habitats with still, grassy, water bodies. Males guard their territories by perching on the tip of emergent plants and chasing competition away. In some areas of the world, naiads are fried and eaten, and live adults are crushed and used to heal nail injuries.   Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Erythemis simplicicollis ... Eastern Pondhawk / Common Pondhawk This dragonfly was photographed on March 19, 2012 near the pond in the Smith Preserve. This species is native to the eastern two-thirds of the United States, southern Ontario, and Quebec, Canada. An adult individual is 3.8 to 4.4 cm long. Females, like this one have a bright, metallic green head and thorax. The abdomen is white or green with black bands. Eyes are olive-brown to yellow-green. Adult males have a green head, blue-green eyes, and a powder blue thorax and abdomen. Adults of this species are voracious predators of other insects that include dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, and grasshoppers. Catching prey in the air, they can attack prey even larger than themselves. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Erythrodiplax berenice ... Seaside Dragonlet On April 20, 2015, this dragonfly was photographed on vegetation adjacent to the pond at the Smith Preserve. These small dragonflies (about 3.3 cm long) are common along the entire Florida coastline. Their habitat includes saltwater marshes and brackish waters inland. They are the only dragonfly in the United States that breed in saltwater. Brackish water exists within and adjacent to the campus of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, but not directly within the Smith Preserve where this dragonfly was photographed. Mature males are very dark; females have much more yellow, and there is also a "male-like form" female. It is believed by the webmaster that this individual is one of those "male-like form" females. Note the bluish thorax and adjacent abdominal segments and the orange spots on the more posterior sections of the abdomen. Food for this species includes insects as large as lacewings and damselflies. On April 26, 2015, the identification of this individual was confirmed as a female by William Edwards, Contributing Editor to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Erythrodiplax minuscula ... Little Blue Dragonlet On March 14, 2012, the small dragonfly shown in photographs 1 and 2 was perched on a piece of dried grass beside the Smith Preserve Pond. On February 7, 2015, it was identified as a male Little Blue Dragonlet skimmer from these photographs by Kelli Whitney, Parks Naturalist II, Long Key Nature Center, Parks and Recreation, Broward County Florida. Ms. Whitney reported that this individual is an "immature male that isn't totally blue yet." At first glance, this individual looks similar to the male Blue Dasher Skimmer. However, a Little Blue Dragonlet does not have a black and yellow striped thorax or green eyes. The brown color of this skimmer's thorax extends to the first several segments of its thorax. The colors on the first two segments of the Blue Dasher Skimmer do not extend to the abdomen or even to the last segment of its thorax. Also, this male's claspers are white, while the male of the Blue Dasher has black claspers. In the species name minuscula, both "minus" and "cula" mean small. This is a good name for one of the smallest dragonflies in North America. On April 24, 2013, the two photographs below were taken of a mature adult male that had landed on the ground. Note: The thorax is blue and the claspers are white. Return to top

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Erythrodiplax umbrata ... Band-Winged Dragonlet On February 11, 2015, this dragonfly was flitting from one dry Liatris chapmanii (Chapman's Blazing Star) stem to the next in the winter scrub at the Smith Preserve. The species was identified by the web host. The identification was confirmed on February 17, 2015 by Jose Hernandez, a Contributor to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Hernandez stated, "A slender abdomen plus dark bands that go straight across the wing between the nodus and the stigma are good for male Band-winged Dragonlet. According to Dennis Paulson, a small percentage of females can look like males." Erythrodiplax umbrata is a small to medium sized skimmer, known as a dragonlet. It has prominent bands on all four of its wings. The band-winged dragonlet is found in Florida, Texas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America to as far south as Brazil. At left and below, this dragonfly was photographed on March 5, 2014. It was identified from the photographs on February 24, 2015 as a female Band-Winged Dragonlet by Jose Hernandez, a Contributor to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology because of its "brownish wingtips and longish abdomen." Return to top

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Libellula needhami ... Needham's Skimmer This first individual was photographed on April 23, 2013 in the Smith Preserve. It is a female Needham's Skimmer. The face, thorax, and abdomen are all a yellowish-brown color. The thorax lacks stripes laterally, The abdomen has a black middorsal stripe. Legs are brown with black spines. Wings are amber with a yellow orange pterostigma. [The pterostigma is a cell in the outer wing of the insect that is colored.] Mature adult males are red except for the sides of the thorax. On February 24, 2015, the species identification above was confirmed by Jose Hernandez, a Contributor to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Hernandez stated, "I agree. Dark inner costa, brown lower legs, and pale area on side of thorax extending forward of shoulder indicate Needham's." Total length of a Needham's Skimmer is 45 to 57 mm. The individual below, photographed on March 14, 2012, may be a young male with its claspers slightly out of focus. If not, then it is another female. Young males resemble females, but as they mature, they become orange/red. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Orthemis ferruginea ... Roseate Skimmer As shown in the first three photographs, a female Roseate Skimmer has a brown thorax with white stripes. The stripes extend part way down the orange-brown abdomen. Young male Roseate Skimmers have a bright pinkish or purple abdomen. As they begin to mature, the thorax develops a pale bluish tint and the abdomen is uniformly brown. Adult males are much more colorful, with a rose pink and red/maroon-colored abdomen. The male Roseate Skimmer is Florida's only pink dragonfly. Wings of both sexes are clear except for the stigma and wing edges. A female uses the tip of her abdomen to flick water droplets into the air as she lays eggs. This behavior may function in confusing some egg-eating predators. Adult Roseate Skimmers forage for insects at the top of tall vegetation. Naiads are in silty bottoms of shallow streams, ponds, lakes, and temporary pools. This species lives throughout the United States and as far south into Central America as Chile. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Pachydiplax longipennis ... Blue Dasher Skimmer As shown in photographs one through three, a mature male is a small, sky-blue dragonfly, with metallic-green eyes, a white face, a black and yellow-striped thorax, and a black tipped abdomen with claspers. Its head has three silvery spots that are its simple eyes. As shown in photographs four through seven, a female has reddish-brown eyes above and blue-grey below, a white face, a yellow-striped thorax, and narrow yellow parallel stripes on its abdomen. Young males look like females, but with longer abdomens, tapered at the posterior end. To further confuse the color patterns and sex identification, as females get old, they beginning looking like males, turning blue-grey with green eyes. Longipennis, the Blue Dasher Skimmer's species name means "long wings", but the wings of the Blue Dasher Skimmer are not so very long. As shown in photograph six, since females have short, blunt abdomens, the wings look long by comparison. Both sexes have amber patches at the base of each hindwing, as shown in photograph six. Blue Dasher Skimmers are widely distributed in the United States and can be found from southern Canada through Mexico. They are known to capture 300 insects/day. In photographs one, three, and five, the males and female are holding themselves in obelisk positions with their abdomens angled high in the air to reduce the surface area that is exposed directly to the rays of the hot sun at midday. In photographs six and seven, these females are holding themselves parallel to the ground to absorb as much heat as possible early in the morning. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Pantala flavescens ... Wandering Glider / Globe Skimmer This dragonfly was photographed in the Smith Preserve on December 3rd, 2015. On December 14, 2015, these photographs were submitted to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University's Department of Entomology, for identification. On December 14, 2015, the individual was identified by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors of <BugGuide.net> as a female Pantala flavescens. Pantala flavescens is found state-wide in Florida. Groups swarm over large areas in the summer and are abundant in the fall. The species is the most widespread dragonfly on planet Earth. The genus name. Pantala, means "all wings" which refers to it having big, long wings. The species name, flavescens, comes from the Latin word for "yellowish" which refers to its distinctive golden color. On January 10, 2017, the dragonfly below was photographed as it perched on dried Liatris chapmanii (Chapman's Blazing Star). The photograph was sent to <BugGuide.net> for confirmation of this species. On January 11, 2017, confirmation was made by John and Jane Balaban.     Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Perithemis tenera ... Eastern Amberwing These tiny skimmers reach lengths of no more than 25 mm. The species name "tenera" means "delicate" and refers to its diminutive size. The individual shown in this photograph was flitting back and forth to a Nuphar advena (Spatterdock) leaf in the pond at the Smith Preserve. Because of their coloring, their quick and erratic flight pattern, and the way they twitch their wings and abdomens when they rest, these dragonflies are considered wasp mimics. Their color and behavior may help prevent predation. Male amberwings, like the one in this photograph have orange or amber-colored wings. Females are not as brightly colored, but both sexes can be recognized by having a red pterostigma (a cell in the outer wing that is thickened and colored.) The pterostigma probably functions in assisting the dragonfly in being able to glide. Eastern amberwings range throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States and Mexico, where they inhabit ponds, lakes, and other still waters. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Unknown Species ... Unknown Common Name This skimmer appears to be almost flesh colored (pink-brown). The eye is red-brown on top and gray-green on the bottom and resembles that of a female Roseate Skimmer. For comparison, photograph three is of this unknown skimmer's eye and photograph four is of a female Roseate Skimmer's eye. This unknown skimmer may be an immature Roseate Skimmer, but that has not been confirmed. If anyone recognizes this skimmer, please send the ID to <susanleachsnyder.com>. Return to top

 

 

Family Libellulidae ... Skimmers Unknown Species ... Unknown Common Name This dragonfly was spotted on vegetation in the Smith Preserve on April 21, 2014. It is mostly dark blue/gray with orange spots along the thorax and abdomen. The eyes are a burgundy color. On July 10, 2015, it was confirmed as a member of Family Libellulidae by John S. Ascher, Contributing Editor of <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. The species has yet to be identified. Return to top

 

 

 

Suborder Zygoptera ... Damselflies

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Argia sedula... Blue-Ringed Dancer On March 3, 2012, this individual was photographed while perched on Ceratiola ericoides (Florida Rosemary) in the Smith Preserve. Its wings were black. It had a blue face, gray-blue eyes, blue and black stripes on the dorsal portion of its thorax and a white stripe on the side of the thorax. The abdomen is black with 5 narrow white bands. The 7th through 9th abdominal segments are powder blue on the dorsal surface. On February 22, 2015, this damselfly was identified from this photograph by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors of <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. The Balabans reported that clues for them are the wings held up above the body and the wide black shoulder stripe split at the top. Dancer damselflies and bluets are sometimes confused for one another. As shown in the close-up at left, dancers have long setae on the front of their tibiae which are twice as long as the spaces between the setae. This is not the case with bluet damselflies. Also, dancers have a bouncy flight that distinguishes them from bluets. In fact, the species name "sedula" means "zealously." The size of this species is 31 to 36 mm. Individuals are often perched on vegetation in the shade and are predators of small insects. On March 6, 2012, the damselfly below was devouring its meal. Based on its wing position and long setae on the front of the tibiae, the webmaster suspected this was a dancer. Based on its coloration, she thought it was a female Argia sedula. These photographs were sent to <BugGuide.net> for identification. The species and sex were confirmed on January 1, 2017 by William Edwards, a Contributing Editor to <BugGuide.net> Return to top

 

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Enallagma cardenium... Purple Bluet This photograph was taken in the Smith Preserve on April 23, 2012. The damselfly was identified on February 22, 2015 as Enallagma geminatum from this photograph by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. The Balabans think the individual is a female because they see what looks like an ovipositor under the tip of the abdomen. They pointed out a distinguishing characteristic for the species that they can also see is a narrow blue mark on the side of segment 2. One internet source states this "wavy-sided" or "hourglass shaped" spot [see enlargement below] on abdominal segment 2 is the most important identifying characteristic for this species. On March 15, 2015, the identification was made as a female Enallagma cardenum by William Edwards, Contributing Editor of <BugGuide.net>. Edwards said, "E. geminatum would be out of range." The Balabans agreed. Return to top

 

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Ischnura hastata ... Citrine Forktail On March 11, 2015, this damselfly (images 1 and 2) was spotted resting on dried vegetation adjacent to the pond at the Smith Preserve. On March 27, 2015, it was identified from these photographs as a female Ischnura hastata by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Females, like the one shown here, are initially orange with black above the head and near the abdomen. As they mature, they change to a brown, olive, or grey color. This one is mature. On December 30, 2015, the one below, 23.5 mm in length, was captured in low brush along the east gopher tortoise fence, south of Smith Preserve Way. It is a younger female than the one above. This image was sent for identification to <Bugguide.net> and it was identified on February 14, 2016 by William Edwards, a Contributing Editor of <Bugguide.net>. A male citrine forktail has a black head and thorax with blue markings and a mostly yellow abdomen with some black markings and a yellow tip. The male of this species is the only damselfly with a forewing stigma entirely surrounded by clear cells of the wing. It is the yellow abdomen of the male that gives the species its common name "Citrine" Forktail. The male below was photographed on November 21, 2012. Its identification was confirmed on April 4, 2015 by John and Jane Balaban. The Citrine Forktail is probably the smallest damselfly in the United States at only 20 to 27 mm in length. Citrine Forktails are typically found in dense vegetation along still waters like ponds, where they feed on tiny flying insects. Return to top

 

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Ischnura posita ... Fragile Forktail Both of these photographs, taken on April 11, 2012, are of the same individual taken while it rested on Baccharis halimifolia (Saltbush), that was growing beside the Smith Preserve Pond. On February 22, 2015, the species was identified from the first photograph by John and Jane Balaban, Contributing Editors to <BugGuide.net>, sponsored by Iowa State University Department of Entomology. The Balabans explained that the clues to the identity of this damselfly as a mature female Ischnura posita is its powdery blue color, half green eyes, and a broken stripe on the shoulder. Forktails are some of the smallest of Florida's damselflies. This species is only ~ 25 mm long. It is native to most of eastern North America. All members of the Family Coenagrionidae breed in ponds. Adults stay around the shady water's edge, protected in the grasses and weeds, where they feed on flying insects. Their predators include fish, larger insects, spiders, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Water mites are often parasites of their naiads. Return to top

 

 

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Ischnura ramburii ... Rambur's Forktail These photographs show two sets of mating pairs of Rambur's Forktails. In both cases, the male is the uppermost individual in the photo. Males have two color forms (one immature and the other mature) and females have three color forms. Mature males are identified by the blue final segment of the abdomen, the green stripes down the back, and the green sides. One female color form is very similar to the male, a second form has an orange-red thorax, and the third is olive-colored. The female in the first photograph shows a somewhat orange-brown thorax, while that in the second female is more olive drab. Adult males have copulatory organs located at the anterior end of the abdomen on the ventral side. Before mating, he must transfer sperm from the genital opening at the end of the abdomen to the copulatory organs. This is done by bending the abdomen. The two sexes spend time in tandem with the male clasping the female by the back of the head or prothorax with appendages at the end of his abdomen. Copulation is achieved by the female bending its abdomen so that it make contact with the male's copulatory organs. Both sexes face the same direction and can even fly while mating. Note the tiny hairs on the face, head, and other parts of these damselflies. These body hairs probably help them it sense air movements. Return to top

 

Family Coenagrionidae ... Pond Damsels Ischnura sp... Forktail Naiad On January 11, 2017, this 7 mm early instar naiad of an Ischnura sp. damselfly was captured in a net by Conservancy of SW FL scientist Leif Johnson in the Smith Preserve marsh. A few days later an identification was made by Dr. Jeff Schmid, another Conservancy scientist. These two photographs were created using photomicroscopy. The first is a dorsal view, the second a ventral view. The species is unknown because the naiad is very young and not well-developed. There are five Ischnura spp. in Florida: Ischnura hastata, Ischnura kellicotti, Ischnura posita, Ischnura prognata, and Ischnura ramburii. Three of these species have been photographed as adults in the Smith Preserve and are shown above and highlighted here. Return to top

 

© Photographs and text by Susan Leach Snyder (Conservancy of Southwest Florida Volunteer), unless otherwise credited above.

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