The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 42

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[View PDF]		Blue-tipped Dancer (Argia tibialis) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Blackwater Bluet   Variable Dancer   Dusky Dancer  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Blue-tipped Dancer
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide, though possibly absent along the extreme northeastern coastal areas. Likely found in all mountain counties, though a few in the northern mountains lack records.
Abundance Common to locally very common in the Piedmont and most of the Coastal Plain; fairly common to locally common in much of the mountains. Not common in the eastern part of the Coastal Plain, but at least uncommon to fairly common, except rare to absent in the extreme northeastern counties.
Flight Downstate, occurs from mid- or late April to late September (and probably later) in the Coastal Plain and to late October in the Piedmont. The mountain flight occurs between mid-May and mid-September.
Habitat Small and mainly wooded creeks/streams, typically with a few riffles. Less often along rivers or larger streams without riffles. Typically closer to forested creeks than other dancers.
Behavior The species is seen frequently away from water at sunny patches along trails and dirt roads, especially females. Males are often found in shade along wooded creeks, but the bright abdomen tip is conspicuous when they fly around.
Comments This is still another dancer species that is common across most of the state and occurs in nearly all counties, but as with many, it is scarce or absent in the extreme northeastern part of the Coastal Plain. In GA, Beaton (2007) says it is "Often the most numerous dancer at any given site"; however, in NC, it shares abundance with a number of other dancer (Argia) species and does not seem quite as numerous as the Variable, Blue-fronted, Powdered, and Blue-ringed dancers, except in the southeastern Coastal Plain.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-18 11:08:52
Photo Gallery for Blue-tipped Dancer   47 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)		Photo 2 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-06-16, Hot Springs area
Photo 3 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-05-31, Hot Springs area		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Pender, 2021-05-24, Black River downstream of Hunts Bluff
Photo 5 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2020-07-08, Eno River at King's Highway Park, Hillsboro. - Pair in wheel photographed.		Photo 6 by: Ruby Sarkar

Comment: Wake, 2020-06-21, This damselfly was seen near Falls Lake Dam, in Raleigh. It was a hot, sunny summer afternoon. This is a mature male. There were more than one damselfly from this species at that time. They were flying over and around a small pool of water adjacent to the dam. Interestingly, they loved perching on the rocks and concrete which were lying around the water. They seemed not preferring the twigs or grasses sticking out of water surface. Or should I say they left those options open for the Stream Bluets who were more into it!?
Photo 7 by: Doug Allen

Comment: Polk; P, 2020-06-14, Caroland Farms - NC section; private ponds		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Sampson, 2019-05-24, Black River, from Ivanhoe Boating Access Area to 4.5 km upstream and back, by kayak.
Photo 9 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-12, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Scotland, 2018-07-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks Access
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Hoke, 2018-07-06, Lumber River at Wagram Boating Access Area		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access
Photo 13 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Catawba, 2018-06-24, Small vegetated pond at Jacob Fork Park, Newton, 36.633532,-81.311931		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Craven, 2018-06-16, Swift Creek; 7 km section between Cool Springs Boating Access Area and NC 43 bridge, by kayak - male
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2018-06-08, Northeast Cape Fear River at Riverside Park, Castle Hayne. Photo of female.		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2017-07-14, New River, at Henry McAllister Landing
Photo 17 by: Rob Van Epps

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-07-08, Mallard Creek between Mallard Creek Church Rd and Harris Blvd.		Photo 18 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-28, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, Greenway - Morris Trace segment; on grass near river
Photo 19 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-20, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, Greenway - On paved trail around Nickajack Bridge; photo of female		Photo 20 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-20, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, Greenway - Old Airport Trail section; tandem pair at Mile 1.5, above river
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2017-05-19, Shelter Creek, lower 2 km		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Richmond; C, 2017-05-15, McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery - ovipositing pairs in spillway
Photo 23 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-11, South River at Sloan's Bridge		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2017-04-28, Haywood Landing and Weetock Trail, Croatan National Forest
Photo 25 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2015-08-01, Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann Access
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2015-06-19, Northeast Cape Fear River, Chinquapin Boat Access		Photo 28 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Orange, 2015-05-28, Eno Riverwalk
Photo 29 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2014-06-21, Shallow Ford Natural Area, at Haw River and along Homestead Trail - Common along trails and at Haw River		Photo 30 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Columbus, 2014-05-24 - Lake Waccamaw drainage