docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Here are a few of the damselflies that have emerged here in southern Delaware this season. Just to clear up something about damsels. When I do a presentation people ask if damselflies are female dragonflies? That's a plausible question but the answer is no. There are male and female dragons and male and female damsels. Damsels and dragons make up the order Odonata. Damselflies are in the suborder Zygoptera.
This damsel is a Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) is one of the early emerging damselflies of the northeast. It is quite common and found in many types of habitats. Like most male forktails the Fragile has a green and black abdomen but has no blue on the abdomen tip. The field mark that makes it easy to identify in the field is the broken shoulder strip that resembles an exclamation mark. Females are blue and have the same mark even as they mature and become pruinose.

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Ok, but just to throw a slight problem into the identification there are some "rare" instances where you may find a damselfly that normally has a complete shoulder strip but it is broken like a Fragile. Here is one such case. This shot shows a male Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum) and Orange Bluet ( Enallagma signatum). The Skimming Bluet does not typically have a broken shoulder stripe. Talking with some friends in Georgia it seems to be a little more common in that area.

Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum) M and Orange Bluet ( Enallagma signatum) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

You may have caught the misnomer in the last offering. For the most part Bluets are blue but there are black bluets (some blue mostly black), orange bluets, scarlet bluets, burgundy bluets and rainbow bluets. Here is a pair of Orange Bluets. In the first shot the pair is in a mating formation known as a wheel. In the second the mating is complete and the male will lead the female in this tandem formation to a place where her eggs will have the best chance of hatching.

Orange Bluet ( Enallagma signatum) Wheel by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Orange Bluet ( Enallagma signatum) by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Lastly is one of the most common bluet. It's a male Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile).

Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr
When this heat breaks I'll get out and hunt a few more for now that the emergence seems to come back to normal. Enjoy and stay well and safe.
-Doc

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful set, Doc! Excellent photography and we learn something.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Excellent shots and Info! Thanks!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Doc you are an amazing person willing to share your knowledge and images. Thanks.
Stan

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

These damsels are next to impossible to see with the naked eye. Great captures like these really show all the unknown(able) details. Thanks!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I've been waiting for just such a post from you, Doc. Thanks and nice work.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Great shots Doc!!!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

A great set Doc!

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Excellent images and descriptions Doc. You should write a book.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice ones, Doc!

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Amazing photos Doc. Thanks for the information.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thank you Mike. Just trying to explain what you are looking at without boring everyone.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Glad you liked them and the narrative. It was a fun hunt.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I appreciate that Stan. I like to share the images I find as well as let everyone know what they are looking at.
I can always count on you for the encouragement I need to try harder. Stay safe my friend.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Coming from you Paul that's quite a compliment. Someone who can show us he amazing detail in flowers, insects, and even moving planes! Thanks. I appreciate your input. Have a great day.
-Doc