Things with Wings - 3

Many dragonflies are an ID challenge, but nothing compared to the Damselflies.

In addition to Stokes Beginners Guide to Dragonflies and Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East by Dennis Paulson, a very good, and essential, resource is Damselflies of the Northeast by Ed Lam.

By way of illustrating the challenge of Damselfly ID, each species in this guide is accompanied by a symbol indicating the level of observation usually required for a damselfly to be identified to species:

• in the field
• in the hand
• under the microscope

That said, the challenge of the damselflies is a rewarding one - these creatures are small, delicate, require alertness to see, and are often breathtakingly beautiful

Ebony Jewelwing - Calopterys maculata, 2.0" - Broadwing family

Ebony Jewelwing - female

Ebony Jewelwing - male

Variable Dancer - Argia fumipennis, 1.2" - Pond Damsel family

Variable Dancer - male

Variable Dancer - female

Eastern Forktail - Ischnura verticalis, 1.1" - Pond Damsel family

Eastern Forktail

Eastern Forktail

  Northern Bluet - Enallagma cyathigerum, 1.4" - Pond Damsel family (Note: Bluets are tough - hope I got this right)

Northern Bluet