Enallagma
carunculatum
(Tule Bluet)
Description:
Naiad-
This is a small naiad ¾ to one inch
(19 to 23 mm) long. It has the typical slender shape of immature damselfies.
They range in color from green to light brown.
Adult-This
is a small damselfly 1 ¼ to 1 ½
inches (31 to 37 mm) long. The males are predominately blue on the sides of
the thorax, and the upper side of the abdomen is predominantly black, except
for segments one and two, and eight and nine, which are blue. Females are pale
blue to greenish-yellow. The upper side of the abdomen is mostly black, except
for segment eight, which is blue with a black stripe down the center.
Range:
This species is found from
southern British Columbia east to Nova Scotia, and south to Maryland, Oklahoma,
New Mexico, and Baja California. In Idaho it occurs throughout the state.
Habitat:
This damselfly occurs
at lakes and ponds that have stands of bulrushes along the shore.
Adult Flight Season:
July 8 to October
15
Diet:
Naiad-Naiads
eat a wide variety of aquatic insects, including mosquito larvae, mayfly larvae,
and other aquatic fly larvae.
Adult-Adults
eat a wide variety of small soft-bodied flying insects, such as mosquitoes,
mayflies, flies and small moths. They will also pick small insects such as aphids
from plants.
Ecology:
The Tule Bluet is almost
always found where there are extensive stands of tules. This damselfly will
emerge from relatively deep water as long as there are bulrushes nearby. This
species can also be found in alkaline or salty water.
Reproduction:
The males set up territories
at choice breeding sites. After males and females mate, the male remains attached
to the female (called "in tandem"), as she oviposits in the stems of bulrushes.
Conservation:
Populations
are widespread, abundant, and secure.
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Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S? |
References:
Corbet, P. S. 1999.
Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, USA, 829pp.
Logan, E. R. 1967. The Odonata of Idaho. Unpublished M. S. thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA, 105 pp.
Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall. 1955. Dragonflies of North America. University of California Press, Berkely, California, USA, 615 pp.
Paulson, D. R. 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington, USA, 32 pp.
Walker, E. M. and P. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. III. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 307 pp.