Coenagrion resolutum
(Taiga Bluet)
Description:
Naiad-This is a small naiad about one inch (21 to 22 mm) long. It has the typical slender shape of immature damselflies. 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, with a distinctive "U" shaped marking on the
upper surface of the 2nd abdominal segment. The blue is paler than for most
Bluets. Females are pale blue or tan, patterned very similarly to the males,
except segment two has a diamond-shaped mark.
Range:
This species is found from Alaska east to Hudson Bay and south to northern California and New York. In Idaho it occurs at high elevations in the central and northern parts of the state.
Habitat:
This damselfly occurs at lakes, ponds, marshes and bogs, usually at higher elevations in the United States.
Adult Flight Season:
April 20 to July 23
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 Taiga Bluet is found at a wide variety of still-water habits at high elevations or northern latitudes. It can probably tolerate a colder climate than any other damselfly in Idaho. Considering the types of places it is found it emerges amazingly early in the spring.
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 standing vegetation in ponds, lakes and marshes.
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 Unpublished M. S. thesis.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.