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Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Powdered Dancer
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
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

Often 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 for perching. It seems to be the most commonly seen dancer on dirt roads and other bare ground well away from water.

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.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-18 10:50:12

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Blue-fronted Dancer 51 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-20, Latta Nature Preserve, Huntersville. Shore of Mountain Island Lake.		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields Comment: Greene, 2022-06-20, Contentnea Creek at Caswell's Landing Nature Park, Hookerton
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2022-05-26, Stones Creek Game Land, Dry Lake area - female		Photo 4 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-07-10, Hot Springs area
	Photo 5 by: Nora Murdock, Tom Howe, Keith Langdon, Robert Emmott, Jason Hollinger Comment: Swain, 2020-09-03, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fairview Cemetery above Fontana Lake - male		Photo 6 by: Nora Murdock Comment: Swain, 2020-09-03, Female, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fairview Cemetery above Fontana Lake
	Photo 7 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-07-01, Hot Springs area		Photo 8 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 9 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-07-21, Flat Branch		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Cumberland, 2018-07-13, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville
	Photo 11 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner Comment: Rowan, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park
	Photo 13 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Concord Church boating access		Photo 14 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Guilford, 2018-06-30, N. Buffalo Creek @ SR 2832		Photo 16 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 17 by: Vin Stanton, Janie Owens, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2017-09-19, River Road, north of Hot Springs 35.92085° -82.87313° - Male		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2017-08-27, Sutton Lake Boating Access Area
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Wayne, 2017-08-01, Neuse River, Seven Springs Boating Access Area
	Photo 21 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Harnett; P, 2017-07-29, Raven Rock State Park - Campbell Creek		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.
	Photo 23 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Durham, 2017-07-15, Bank of Eno River near Guess Rd. - male		Photo 24 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-07-08, Mallard Creek between Mallard Creek Church Rd and Harris Blvd.
	Photo 25 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2017-07-01, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, Greenway - Male resting on paved trail near river		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2016-08-24, Trent River, Trenton Boating Access Area		Photo 28 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 29 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-23, Jones Lake State Park; circumnavigated lake in a kayak		Photo 30 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