NC Odonate Website

Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE:

Number of records added in 2021 = 0

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Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Powdered Dancer
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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map

Click on county for list of all its records for Blue-fronted Dancer

flight charts

distribution

Essentially statewide, though possibly absent in the eastern Tidewater Region. Presumably absent on the Outer Banks.

abundance

Common to locally very common in the Piedmont and western Coastal Plain, particularly around flowing water in the Piedmont. Fairly common to locally common in the mountains and the central and southern Coastal Plain. Rare in the northeastern and far eastern Coastal Plain, and probably absent near the coast there.

flight

Early May through late October in the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain. The flight in the mountains is from mid-May at least to mid-September (and likely later).

habitat

Favors rivers and large streams, but can be found away from water. Also occurs around lake and pond margins.

behavior

Prefers open areas with sunlight, using rocks, ground, or available vegetation.

comments

This is one of our most common and widespread damselflies, except near the northeastern and eastern coastal areas. There are several one-day counts of at least 50 individuals, all from the lower Piedmont.

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date_spread

[Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]

synonym

other_name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2020-01-24 15:26:08

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Blue-fronted Dancer 45 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-07-01, Hot Springs area		Photo 2 by: Ruby Sarkar Comment: Wake, 2020-06-21, This damselfly was seen near the Falls Lake Dam, in Raleigh. It was a hot, sunny summer afternoon. This particular one is a mature male. Seen this and some more of the same species there on that day. They all were near the dam but little away from water. These damselflies preferred solid ground than water surface. They were mostly perched on ground or short grasses.
	Photo 3 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-07-21, Flat Branch		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields Comment: Cumberland, 2018-07-13, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville
	Photo 5 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park		Photo 6 by: Mike Turner Comment: Rowan, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park
	Photo 7 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Concord Church boating access		Photo 8 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake
	Photo 9 by: Mike Turner Comment: Guilford, 2018-06-30, N. Buffalo Creek @ SR 2832		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2017-09-24, Northeast Cape Fear River, from Chinquapin Boating Access Area to 3 km upstream and 1 km downstream, by kayak
	Photo 11 by: Vin Stanton, Janie Owens, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2017-09-19, River Road, north of Hot Springs 35.92085° -82.87313° - Male		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2017-08-27, Sutton Lake Boating Access Area
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Wayne, 2017-08-01, Neuse River, Seven Springs Boating Access Area
	Photo 15 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Harnett; P, 2017-07-29, - RARO - Campbell Creek		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.
	Photo 17 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Durham, 2017-07-15, Bank of Eno River near Guess Rd. - male		Photo 18 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-07-08, Mallard Creek between Mallard Creek Church Rd and Harris Blvd.
	Photo 19 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2017-07-01, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, Greenway - Male resting on paved trail near river		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2016-08-24, Trent River, Trenton Boating Access Area		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2016-08-04, Holly Shelter Game Land, dike between Northeast Cape Fear River and greentree impoundment , southwest of Holly Shelter Boating Access
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-23, Jones Lake State Park; circumnavigated lake in a kayak		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Sampson, 2015-08-23, Black River by kayak from Ivanhoe Boating Access to 0.5 km upstream of Dr Kerr Rd bridge
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2015-08-01, Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann Access		Photo 26 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton Comment: Graham, 2013-07-16, Robbinsville - Male
	Photo 27 by: Steve Hall Comment: Edgecombe, 2013-06-21, Tar River above Princeville		Photo 28 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2012-08-07, County park Northern Henderson County - Male
	Photo 29 by: Steve Hall and Harry LeGrand Comment: Northampton, 2012-07-13, North shore of the Roanoke River at the US 258 bridge crossing		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Madison, 2012-06-15, North of Hot Springs on River Road-French Broad River - Male & Female