The species indicated below have been found in California.

Scientific Name Common Name Archaic Name	Remarks/Description Habitat/Flight Dates	Picture in book *Photo/scan at website
FAMILY Coenagrionidae Pond Damsels aka Stalk-winged or Narrow-winged	8 CA genera - totaling 30 species sizes: mostly small, some med.; lengths 20 - 47 mm description: males and some females brightly colored; usually blue and black with varying degrees of blue on abdomens; clear wings with small stigma are narrow at base females: more stout than males; most are tan where the males are blue but some are colored male-like behavior: wings held sail-like over abdomen when perched; possibly more than one generation per year habitats: quite variable, still waters, quiet streams	Photo by James Lasswell CA Dragonflies p. 57 CA Insects-p46 #19, 20 Audubon Guide- naiad pl. 35 &39 *Excellent sketches by John Sankey of male appendages and female segment coloration *Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
GENUS: Amphiagrion The Red Damsels	1 CA species size: small, stout-bodied; length 23 -28 mm description male: males are red & black, females tan habitat: associated with sedges and reeds	Photo by Kathy Biggs
Amphiagrion abbreviatum Western Red Damsel aka Southwestern Short Damselfly photo male photo male photo male photo female photo female photo tandem pair scan male scan pair scan female CA distribution map	size: quite small, length 23 - 28 mm; hind wing 14 - 19 mm description male: bright red abdomen; black head, black thorax, black top of eyes; some black near end of abdomen; thorax and face are quite hairy; legs are dark closest to body; female: pale peach to reddish; thorax tawny; no black nymph: small dumpy short-legged similar species: Desert Firetail has no black on abdomen; red legs habitat: lakes, marshy ponds, slow streams in hillsides and mountains flight period: April - September distribution: more common in cooler areas of state	CA Dragonflies p. 78 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 5 Audubon Guide: Southwestern Short Damselfly pl 356 *Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo - female by Rob Cannings & Brent Cooke at the Royal British Columbia Museum
GENUS: Argia The Dancers	10 CA species sizes: medium, lengths 27 - 47 mm description male: males: blue (or violet) & black; leg hairs 2X as long as space between them; 4th leg joint has 2 rows stiff bristles; eyes often a dark blue color but not black; side stripe on thorax often pinched or split females: 2 forms - most common is tan or gray where male is blue; other is like male; no vulvar spine on segment 8 nymph: robust behavior: flight `dance-like' (up & down); alight more frequently in open spaces on rocks &/or wood rather than on vegetation; perch with wings held well up and over back, sail-like; more likely at moving waters; tandem oviposit; eggs laid on surface mats of algae, floating vegetation or on wood	Photo by Kathy Biggs *Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
Argia agrioides California Dancer photo male photo male photo female scans male scan male/3 species new 9-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: 30 - 34 mm; hindwing 17 -20 mm description male: thorax has divided upper side stripe; the thorax side stripe looks like a split sideways "Y"; blue & black down most of abdomen length; blue 'tail' near abdomen end; female: one form like male; other is tan and black; thicker bodied than male; similar species: A. nahuana (Aztec Dancer); need in hand to differentiate by appendages behavior: often perch on rocks or wood, not vegetation habitat: rivers, streams distribution: common statewide; records incomplete flight period: April - November	CA Dragonflies p. 62
Argia alberta Paiute Dancer photo male new 10-01 photo male new 10-01 photo male photo male photo male new 11-01 photo female new 10-01 photo female scans male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 27 - 32 mm; hindwing 16 -20 mm male: smaller than most other dancers; side thoracic stripe divided 'Y'-like; wings clear but with dark veins; abdomen mostly dark with the contrasting coloring grayish purple except 'blue tail' segments 8&9; color spots behind eyes quite small; view appendages female: same markings, wings, but can be brown not bluish habitat: marshy streams/ponds in arid areas similar species: abdomen like a Blue-ringed Dancers, but not so distinctly marked or colorful flight period: April - July	*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos by Bob Behrstock at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Argia emma Emma's Dancer photo male photo male new 11-01 photo female photo female photos female new 11-01 scan immature male new 8-01 scans male scan male scan male/3 species new 9-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 33 - 40 mm description male: thoracic side stripe pinched at middle; black stripe on top of thorax is narrow, straight; abdomen is lavender color and black with segments 8 and 9 blue female: male-like or gray/tan where male is blue; similar species: top thoracic stripe thinner than Vivid Dancer's; lacks sm. trianglar dark spots on sides of abd. Vivid Dancers have; can use appendages to differentiate; females are yellower than Vivid Dancer females habitat: rocky streams, rivers flight period: March - September distribution: most common in central and northern California	CA Dragonflies p. 61 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 5 *Scans male/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo of tandem pair ovipositing at the Royal British Columbia Museum
Argia hinei Lavender Dancer photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 30 -35 mm description male: abdomen & thorax top lavender-blue & black; sides of thorax have split stripe; blue on top of segments 4 & 5 not restricted just to center; covers ~80%; can use appendages to help differentiate description female: abdomen & thorax similar to male in pattern; turquoise blue `tail' is not solid but appears to have dark intrusions on sides flight period: May - October	*Photos by Stuart Tingley at Arizona Ode Photos *Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos by Bob Behrstock at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Argia immunda Kiowa Dancer photo male NV photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 32 - 38 mm description male: thorax side stripe wide and irregular in shape; abdomen - blue/lavender & black; blue coloring on segments 4 & 5 restricted beginning and then center portion of segment description female: can develop sooty lavender pruinosity flight period: seen only once, May 31st	*Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos by Curt Williams at The TIARA (TX) Biodiversity Project
Argia lugens Sooty Dancer aka Hyponeura lugens photo male photo male photo male photo male photo immature male photo female photo female new 7-01 scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium (more robust and larger than most Dancers); length 45 - 50 mm description male: darker, less colorful than other Dancers; mostly dull and dark, developing a blue-tinged sooty colored pruinosity; pale ring around each segment; unlike all other CA Dancers, it has no blue near abdomen end; dark eyes; upper legs yellow; wings with dark veins; female: patterned brown thorax, abdomen similar species: larger, more robust than other Dancers or any of the Forktails; can use appendages to help differentiate behavior: tend to perch on rocks habitat: creeks and rivers - moving water flight period: April - October distribution: common statewide	CA Dragonflies p. 76 *Scans CA male by Kathy Biggs at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01
Argia moesta Powdered Dancer photo male photo female scans male scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium; length 37 - 43 mm (larger than most Dancers) description male: pruinose thorax is powder blue colored; upper parts of abd segments 3-6 black-brown; can use appendages to help differentiate female: thorax is coppery habitat: sunlit rocky shores of streams/rivers/lakes flight period: May - ~October	Kansas Checklist back cover #14 *Photo of mating pairs by Dennis Paulson at Odonata Photo Archive *Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos of emergence by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County, Texas *Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata *Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates *Photos by Dave Czaplak at DRAGONFLIES, BUTTERFLIES, and MOTHS of MD new 11-01 *Photo #4 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News *Photos by Curtis William at Odonata Photo Archive *Photo by Stuart Tingley at Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Brunswick *Photo by Ro Wauer at USGS (Govt.) site (Please note inaccurate map)
Argia nahuana Aztec Dancer photo male new 8-01 photo male new 8-01 photo male photo female photo pair photo ovipositing pairs scan male scan male/3 species new 9-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: medium; length 28 - 35 mm description male: blue and black; black line on thorax creates a sideways "Y" similar species: A. agrioides (California Dancer); appendages differentiate habitat: springs, creeks flight period: April - November	Kansas Checklist p. 8 #15 *Photos by Stuart Tingley at Arizona Ode Photos *Photo at Photos by William Zittrich from Zion National Park *Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos by Bob Behrstock at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Argia sedula Blue-ringed Dancer photo male photo male photo female scans male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 29 - 34 mm description male: black abdomen has narrow blue rings separating sections; blue top of segments 8 - 10; thorax has wide dark side and top stripe; wings dark veined, amber tinged; can use appendages to help differentiate female: paler than male, showing tan wherever male is blue; wings amber-tinged habitat: sunny sections of ponds & rivers flight period: March - November distribution: southern counties	CA Dragonflies p. 64 Kansas Checklist p. 9 #17 * Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties new 11-01 *Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photo male/female by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County, TX *Photo #7 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photos inc. emergence at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos by Allen Chartier at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies new 11-01 *Photo by Curtis William at Odonata Photo Archive *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Argia vivida Vivid Dancer photo male photo male - NV photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo immature male close-up photo male on a rose photo tandem pair - NV photo tandem pair photo pair in wheel photo female photo female new 12-01 photo female photo female new 11-01 scan male scans male scan male new 9-01 scans male scan female new 9-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, variable, length 29 - 39 mm description male: vivid blue with black markings; stripe on top of thorax has wide urn shape; dark stripe on thorax side disappears or is `pinched' at mid-length; middle abdomen segments have small triangular black side spots female: same markings; can be colored male-like or tan/gray /brown where male is blue similar species: very similar to Emma's Dancer -see comparison; can use appendages to help differentiate habitat: mostly streams or seeps, wanders flight period: March - November; apparently capable of emerging in winter if it is warm enuf: captured 1-2-01 distribution: common statewide	CA Dragonflies p. 60 LA Insects: Violet Dancer, Fig 30, 31 CA Insects p. 46 #20, & pl 1b Dragonflies of Washington, p. 5 *Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site" new 11-01 *Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo by Curtis William at Odonata Photo Archive *Photo by George Doerksen at Endangered Odonata *Sketch by Hannah Nadel at Endangered Odonata
GENUS: Coenagrion The Eurasian Bluets	1 CA species description male: very similar to Enallagma; blue & black habitat: boreal; associated with reedy margins of streams/rivers
Coenagrion resolutum Taiga Bluet photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: small, length 27 - 31 mm description male: thorax-2 long shoulder stripes; middle segments at least 50% black; black markings 2nd segment U-shaped; thorax green tinged; can use appendages to help differentiate female: 2 forms - 1 turquoise, 1 gray/green habitat: slow/still/shaded waters in mts.; sedge marshes/lakes/streams/rivers; perfers still, shaded water flight period: ~March - August	Dragonflies of Washington, p. 5 *Scans male/females (both forms) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo by Jochen M. Mueller at his Dragonflies of Alaska site *Photo by Nick Donnelley at Donnelley's CA Species site new 10-01 *Photograph by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts *Photo by Stuart Tingley at Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Brunswick
GENUS: Enallagma The American Bluets photo of a Bluet swarm	8 CA species description: males are bright blue & black patterned; very similar in appearance to Dancers but flight not `dance-like'; wings are held folded down alongside the body, not sail-like over the back as in Dancers; leg hairs not twice as long as space between them; eyes often quite black on top unlike dancers which are more often of a dark blue color; the black line on side of thorax often makes a 'jag' or 'elbow' near the head; females: several color forms: one is male-like but with much less blue; but more usually brown or gray where male is blue; have a vulvar spine on segment 8 which Dancers lack behavior: fly low over the water & grasses along shore; perch on vegetation with wings slightly drooping at abdomen side; tandem oviposit at still water sites; can form swarms over water while ovipositing habitat: still water with abundant vegetation	Photo by Bob Claypole *Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ *Photos & information by Raphael Carter at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Minnesota
Enallagma anna River Bluet aka Anna's Bluet photo male photo female scan male new 9-01 scan male new 9-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 29 - 36 mm description male: abdomen patterned blue and black; upper appendages noticeably longer than lowers, slightly forked, with the top fork extending well beyond lower appendages and angled downward (without a 'button' on end) similar species: Arroyo Bluet, Tule Bluet and Familiar Bluet (see CA key habitat: found east of the Sierra Nevadas in slow streams & lakes; also found in the Great Basin flight period: June - September	*Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo at Iowa Odonates *Photos by John Acorn at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Enallagma basidens Double-striped Bluet photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: small, length 21 - 28 mm description male: blue and black; blue eye spots connected; both top and side thoracic stripes `doubled' (thin blue line down middle of dark stipes); blue on `tailtip' thin, appearing to contain small bluer circles; appendages long and very divergent; top appendages longest description female: like male but can be pale where male is blue; has pale eye stipe habitat: ponds, lakes, and ditches; near Arizona border flight period: ~June - Septmeber	Kansas Checklist p9 #22 *Photos & scans by James Lasswell and Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County *Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata new 10-01 *Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates new 10-01 *Photos by Curt Williams at The TIARA (TX) Biodiversity Project *Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research *Photos by Bob Behrstock at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01
Enallagma boreale Boreal Bluet aka deserti, aka calverti photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 28 - 36 mm description male: blue & black: middle segments mostly blue; segment 8 pale above; thorax top with conspicuous black stripe; thorax dark side stripe undivided, fairly even width; inferior appendages much longer than superiors similar species: use appendages to differentiate from almost identical Northern Bluet habitat: slow/cold waters: marshes/lakes/ponds/ bogs/streams/rivers; found in mountains, not in central valley flight period: ~March - ~October	Dragonflies of Washington, p. 8 *Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo of adult & nymph by Mark McPeek at Michigan State U. Photo male by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts *Picture of male by Jochen M. Mueller at Pictures from Alaska, ODONATA OF ALASKA
Enallagma carunculatum Tule Bluet photo male photo male photo male photo female photo female photo female new 12-01 scan male'01 new 8-01 scan male'01 scan male scan female'01 scan male and female CA distribution map	size: small - medium, length 26 - 37 mm description male: more black than blue; 3rd abdominal segment = or >50% black; segments 8 and 9 blue; 'button' on end of upper appendages female: unlike other Bluets, no blue on top of segment # 8; shows much more black than male, or is tan similar species: Arroyo Bluet, River Bluet and Familiar Bluet; use appendages to differentiate habitat: lakes, ponds, slow streams flight period: February - November distribution: common statewide	CA Dragonflies p. 63 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 8 *Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site" new 11-01 *Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo by Gaylord Mink at Wildlife Images of OR/WA *Photo by James Durban at Iowa Odonates *Photo #1 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News *Photo by John Sankey at Odonata of Ottawa *Photo by Allen Chartier at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies new 11-01
Enallagma civile Familiar Bluet photo male photo male new 8-01 photo male new 8-01 photos male new 12-01 photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo pair in wheel photo pair in wheel - NV new 10-01 photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: small - medium, length 25 - 35 mm description male: bright blue appearance; markings more blue than black; 3rd abdominal segment < 50% black; when seen from the side, the blue areas on abdomen are more straight up & down, rather than somewhat angled as in other Bluets; top appendages with a 'button' on underside of tip and noticeably longer than lower ones female: less colorful; blue `tail' patch on 8th segment only similar species: Northern, Boreal, & Alkali Bluets have lower appendages the longest; blue areas more angled than on E. civile; Arroyo Bluet, River Bluet and Tule Bluet are also similar; use appendages to differentiate behavior: bluets fly low over water along shoreline; tandem oviposit on underwater plants floating at surface habitat: slow waters with abundant vegetation; but also even cattle tanks, and brackish waters; charactersitic species at disturbed areas; tolerates organic pollution flight period: March - December distribution: esp. common in Central Valley & so. CA lowlands	CA Dragonflies p. 59 Kansas Checklist p12 #24 *Photo at Photos by William Zittrich in California * Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties new 12-01 *Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata *Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata new 10-01 *Scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos by James Lasswell and Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County, Texas *Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose at his homepage *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates *Photos by Mark O'Brien at THE MICHIGAN Photo Archive *Photo by Dan A. Polhemus & Dexter Sear at Megalagrion Images *Photos at Bob Barber's Some New Jersey Odonate Photos new 10-01 *Photo #1 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News
Enallagma clausum Alkali Bluet photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, 28 - 37 mm description male: almost identical to Tule Bluet; use appendages to differentiate female: more robust with pale areas yellow/greenish tinge; solid cream-colored top to abdomen segment #8 habitat: found only at alkaline lakes; great basin not found in central valley flight period: May - ~October	*Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo of female by Roy Beckemeyer at Odonata Photo Album
Enallagma cyathigerum Northern Bluet aka robustum, aka Circumpolar Bluet photo male photo male new 8-01 photo male photo pair in wheel photo female scan male'01 scan male scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, length 29 - 37 mm description male: the middle segments are more blue than black; thorax top has a conspicuous black stripe; thorax side stripe is undivided with a jag near the front; lower appendages are much longer than upper ones female: much less blue, or tan and black similar species: almost identical to Boreal and Alkali Bluet; told apart by habitat and appendages habitat: slow waters of marshes, lakes, ponds, streams or rivers flight period: March - October distribution: very common statewide	CA Dragonflies p. 57, 58 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 8 Audubon Guide: Circumpolar Bluet plate 354 *Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery * Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01 *Photo by Stuart Tingley at Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Brunswick *Photo by George Hanslope at Dragonflies and Damselflies the UK *Photo by Roger Smith at The Insects Home Page (Odonata) *Photo #2 by Roger Smith at The Insects Home Page (Odonata) *Photo by Nick Donnelley at Donnelley's CA Species site new 10-01
Enallagma praevarum Arroyo Bluet photo male photo female scan male scan male scan male & female scan female CA distribution map	size: small - medium, length 26 - 37 mm. description male: middle abdomen segments mostly black; blue on top of abdomen segments # 3-7 is 50% less than on each previous one; thorax: one dark side stripe; often a thin blue line thru top upper and lower appendages about the same length; upper appendages forked with lower fork pointed rearward similar species: Tule Bluet, River Bluet and Familiar Bluet; use appendages to differentiate habitat: ponds flight period: March - October distribution: lowlands	*Photos by Stuart Tingley at Arizona Ode Photos *Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01
GENUS: Ischnura The Forktails	NEW SPECIES ADDED TO CA RECORDS 5-99 -- now 8 CA species size: small, lengths 20 - 35 mm description: blacker, less blue on abdomen than others Pond Damsels; most appear black with blue showing only on thorax and end of `tail' (thus the old `blue-tailed fly' nickname?) males: black with colored markings on thorax; most have blue markings near end of abdomen; a few species show yellow or red markings on thorax or abd. females: some similar to males, some not; some become prunoise black or light gray behavior: most oviposit unescorted into floating vegetation; eggs laid in stems & leaves of aquatic plants; perch on emergent vegetation habitat: still water with abundant vegetation	Photo by Pete Haggard *Information and images by James Robinson at Odonate Research at UTA
Ischnura barberi Desert Forktail photos males new 8-01 photos male photo male new 11-01 photo male new 12-01 photo female new 11-01 scan male new 8-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: small, length 27 - 35 mm description male: colored stripe on thorax side often greener than rest of thorax; colored spots back of eyes connected by a thin line; males greenish-blue on segments 1-3, yellowish-orange under 3-7; blue 'tip' surrounds segments 8 & 9, underside of #7 & 10 female: colored like male or tan-orange on sides of thorax; top of thorax either with narrow or no stripe; olive form also exists similar species: very similar to Rambur's Forktail; same habitat; amount of blue on 'tail' and width of thoracic side stripe help make determination; use appendages to differentiate flight period: March - November distribution: only in so. CA	Kansas Checklistp12 #32 *Photo by Bob Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Photo of pair by Roy Beckemeyer at Odonata Photo Album *Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata new 10-01 *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01
Ischnura cervula Pacific Forktail photo male photo young male photo male photo male photo teneral male photo mating pair photo female photo female new 8-01 photo female new 8-01 photo immature female photo immature female photo immature female photos nymph scan male side scan male top scan female scan male-colored female CA distribution map	size: very small, length 23 - 30 mm description male: abdomen black with blue only on segments 7 & 8; black thorax top has four tiny blue spots, one at each `corner'; thorax blue on sides; can use appendages to help differentiate female: can be similar to male with the 4 dots slightly larger, or stripes on top of thorax; pale stigma; eye spots connected by thin line; immature can show pinkish color; becomes dark as if pruinose nymph are greenish habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks and slow streams flight period: February - December; usually California's first dragonfly of spring distribution: California's most common damselfly	CA Dragonflies p. 67 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 9 *Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California * Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties new 11-01 *Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo of male at the Royal British Columbia Museum *Photo of nymph at the Royal British Columbia Museum *Photo by Nick Donnelley at Donnelley's CA Species site new 10-01
Ischnura denticollis Black-fronted Forktail photo male photo male new 11-01 photo young male photo young male new 11-01 photo female photos female new 8-01 photo female new 8-01 photo teneral female scan pinned male scan female CA distribution map	size: very small, length 22 - 26 mm description male: mostly dark above and light below; sides of thorax blue or green; no stripes or dots on top of thorax; blue spots are on segments 8 & 9 (NOT 10); the blue patches on the top and bottom of segments 8 and 9 do not touch each other; frail; appendages bent down; use appendages to differentiate from SF Forktail female: similar to male but can be pinkish on the head/thorax; stripe on thorax shows a jag near prothorax; pair of tubercles on top of prothorax; does not become pruinose similar species: compare to San Francisco Forktail, Ischnura gemina, its 'twin'; I. denticollis is slightly less robust of the two; habitat: lakes, ponds, the delta, seeps with abundant vegetation flight period: March - November distribution: statewide, but more common in the south	CA Dragonflies p. 68 *Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site" new 11-01 *Scans male/female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos by Robert A. Behrstock at Damselflies of Texas *Sketches by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01
Ischnura erratica Swift Forktail photo male photo male photo pair in wheel photo pair in wheel photo pair in wheel photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, 29 - 34 mm larger than most other forktails description male: blue stripes on top of thorax with black in center; blue on thorax sides is similar in shape to blue on sides of Bluets; blue on sides has a dark line coming in from the back at mid-height; dark abdomen has blue spots on top of segments # 8 - 9; lower appendages are long enough to see thru binoculars female: all dark abdomen top with dark green eye spots, thoracic side stripes and sides of thorax similar species: larger than other similarly dark Ischnura species; continuous blue side stripe, not the !! of the similarly sized Exclamation Damsel; can use appendages to differentiate habitat: ponds and creeks in coastal areas flight period: March - September	Dragonflies of Washington, p. 8 *Scans males/females by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Ischnura gemina San Francisco Forktail aka Celaenura gemina photo male photo female photo tandem pair scans male scans male 2001 scan male & female scans female CA distribution map	size: small, length 24 - 28 mm; wingspan ~28 mm description male: thorax top and abdomen dark; blue spots on segments 8 and 9; underside chartreuse; appendages up-pointing; female: cryptic brown, reddish, or male-like similar species: very similar to I. denticollis, hence the Latin name `gemina' for twin; I. gemina is slightly more robust; compare the two using appendages: up-pointing or bent down; eye spots back of head are more circular in shape than Western's or Pacific's habitat: weedy ditches; often near salt water flight period: March - November distribution: endemic; S.F. Bay Area; Santa Cruz; rare	CA Dragonflies p. 69
Ischnura hastata aka Ischnura hastatum Citrine Forktail aka Anomalagrion hastatum photo male photo female scans male scan female CA distribution map	size: small (tiny!), length 20 - 27 mm the smallest Odonate in North America description male: male thoracic stripes green; abdomen mostly yellow (inc. `tailtip') above & below, with some black; wings have unusual stigmas: they are different on fore and hind wing: forewing has pale reddish brown stigma that is NOT on the leading edge; hindwing has more usual dark stigma on hind wing; can use appendages to differentiate female: yellow & black; can develop some pruinosity habitat: grassy seeps/marshes/lakes/ponds/streams/rivers distribution: southern CA only; tolerates organic pollution flight period: April - ~October	Kansas Checklist p13 #36 *Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photo & Info by J. Robinson at Odonate Research UTA *Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County *Photos by John Abbott & Curt Williams at The TIARA (TX) Biodiversity Project *Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates *Photos at Bob Barber's Some New Jersey Odonate Photos new 10-01 *Photo #5 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News
Ischnura perparva Western Forktail photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo pruinose female photo pruinose female photo pruinose female photo pruinose female photo pruinose female new 8-01 photo female photo female photo teneral female photo pruinose females scan male scan male new 8-01 scan female CA distribution map	size: small, length 22 - 30 mm description male: dark body with blue on segments 8-10 only; black stripes on sides of segments 8-10; top of thorax and sides dark with blue-green stripes; noticeable fine pale rings across each segment; can use appendages to help differentiate female: emerges orange-ish, becomes completely pale pruinose; dark stigma behavior: lay eggs alone over a period of days habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks and slow streams flight period: March - October distribution: very common	CA Dragonflies p. 48 Dragonflies of Washington, p. 8 *Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site" new 11-01 *Scans males/females by Dennis R. Paulson at WA Odonata Gallery *Photo pair in wheel by Dennis R. Paulson at e-Nature.com
Ischnura ramburii Rambur's Forktail photos males new 11-01 photo male photos pairs new 12-01 photos pairs new 12-01 photo pair NV new 11-01 photos females new 12-01 photo female photo female NV new 11-01 photos/story of hoards new 12-01 scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: a little larger than Desert Forktail description male: very similar to Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi but greener in coloration; colored side stripe on thorax is thin; spots of color behind eyes are not connected; greenish-blue on segments 1-3; yellowish-orange under segments 3-7; blue tip on tail only surrounds all of segment 8; part of 9; none of 10; appendages downward pointing female: polymorphic, some look like males and some are colored very differently, starting out almost Day-Glo red/orange and black with wide black stripe down top of thorax; the orange becomes obscured with age and the coloring turns mostly brownish-olive; upper surface of the abdomen solid black, not orangish similar species: almost identical to Desert Forktail; same habitat; but greener in coloration, thinner stripe on side of thorax and blue ring only on segment 8; use appendages to differentiate behavior: habitat: ponds/lakes/slow streams: This species is probably increasing in the Southwest, from which it was first recorded not many years ago. It does well in human-altered environments flight period: May - December distribution: first found in CA at Dos Palmas, Salton Sea also now found in Riverside & San Bernardino Co.	Photos of tandem pairs and singles at New River Wetlands Project, CA (Southwest Birders) new 11-01 * Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties new 12-01 *Photos by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos at Damselflies of Texas new 12-01 *Pictures of two color morphs of females at Odonate Research at UTA *Photos at Bob Barber's Some New Jersey Odonate Photos new 10-01 *Photo #3 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photo female by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research *Photo male by Blair Nikula at Ode News Research
GENUS: Nehalennia The Sprites	1 CA species	*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
Nehalennia irene Sedge Sprite photo male photo female scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: small, length 21 - 29 mm description male: mostly dark with green; middle segments at least 50% black from above; thorax top entirely metallic green, sides blue; abd blue in male, green for females; black areas whole length of abd; black spot rear of 2nd abdominal segment habitat: slow waters: sedge marshes/bogs /lakes/ponds/streams/rivers flight period: June - August distribution: northern CA	Dragonflies of Washington, p. 12 *Scans female by Dennis R. Paulson at WA Odonata Gallery *Photo by Nick Donnelley at Donnelley's CA Species site new 10-01 *Photo by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates *Photo #4 at Steve Walter's New York Odes *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News *Photo by Stuart Tingley at Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Brunswick *Photo by John Sankey at Odonata of Ottawa
GENUS: Telebasis The Firetails	1 CA species size: small and dainty description male: slender, red behavior: eggs laid in algae mats or under floating sticks habitat: shallow water with palustral vegetation	Photo by Kathy Biggs
Telebasis salva Desert Firetail photo male photo male photo pair photo pair photo female scans male scan female CA distribution map	size: quite small, length only 23 - 29 mm description male: dainty & slender with bright red-orange abdomen & eyes; black stripes on top of thorax often not noticeable; no black on abdomen; female: pinkish brown colored similar species: Western Red Damsel has more black markings behavior: eggs laid in green algae mats habitat: shallow water with palustral vegetation, algae scum flight period: April - October distribution: mostly in lower elevations of southern & middle CA; not restricted to deserts	CA Dragonflies p. 79 Kansas Checklist p12 #40 *Scans of CA male by Kathy Biggs at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California *Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images new 11-01 *Photo of ovipositing tandem pair by Dennis Paulson at Odonata Photos, taken in Arizona *Photo by Stuart Tingley at Arizona Ode Photos *Photos & scans by James Lasswell at Damselflies of Texas *Photos at TIARA Biodiversity Project new 10-01 *Photos by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County *Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata Photo Album new 10-01 *Scan by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata new 10-01 *Photo by Curtis William at Odonata Photo Archive *Photo by David B. Richman, at Malpai Borderlands, New Mexico/Arizona *Photo by Blair Nikula at Ode News
GENUS: Zoniagrion	endemic 1 CA species	Photo by Kathy Biggs
Zoniagrion exclamationis Exclamation Damsel aka Sierra Damsel photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo male photo female photo female photo female photo female photo tandem pair photo ovipositing pair scan male scan female CA distribution map	size: medium, larger than similar appearing Forktails; length 30 - 35 mm description male: slender; blue & black; thorax top dark with a pair of turquoise !! ; blue on top of segments 1&2, 7-9 only female: similar but blue on end of abdomen is only on segments 7 and 8; ! ! marks on top of thorax may be merged similar species: larger than similarly dark Ischnura species; Swift Forktail has continuous blue thoracic stripe, not !! can use appendages to help differentiate behavior: often rests with wings held slightly open; eggs laid in leaf blades & stems habitat: permanent pools of mud-banked streams flight period: March - August distribution: northern coastal and central valley counties; found only in California endemic	CA Dragonflies p. 65 *Scans of CA male by Kathy Biggs at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photo by Dennis Paulson at ODONATA PHOTOS

2nd printing now available! Common DRAGONFLIES of California A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs Includes damselflies

Click here to return to The CA Damselflies family site Send e-mail to Kathy Biggs if you would like to request a field list of California Odonata that you can down load(Word 7.0 doc 32K)