NC Odonate Website

Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE:		Number of records for 2025 = 5
Added in 2025-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2024-07-13)

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Blue-fronted 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.

[Google images] [Global Biodiversity Information Facility] iNaturalist

Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Powdered Dancer

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the mountains, Piedmont, and the western two-thirds of the Coastal Plain. Absent from most of the northeastern third of the Coastal Plain (i.e., nearly all counties around Albemarle and Pamlico sounds).

Abundance

Common to abundant in the eastern Piedmont; common to very common elsewhere across the mountains, Piedmont, and western 60-65% of the Coastal Plain, though less numerous in the southwestern part of the mountains. May be legitimately absent from nearly all counties in the Tidewater zone (around Albemarle and Pamlico sounds).

Flight

The Piedmont flight occurs from mid-April to late October, and the Coastal Plain flight is at least from early May (if not earlier) to late October. The mountain flight occurs from early May to early October.

Habitat

Found along rivers and streams, more so along rockier ones and larger ones than all other dancers. Can also be found along roads and other places away from water, when foraging.

See also Habitat Account for General Rivers and Large Streams

Behavior

This is the most frequently seen dancer along rockier streams and rivers, often perching on exposed rocks. As with several other dancers, this species can be frequently seen away from water at sunny patches along trails and dirt roads.

Comments

The two highest counts in the state are from the eastern Piedmont, though this might be an artifact of observer coverage rather than a true abundance pattern. Adult males are easily identified by their very glaucous (whitish) "bloom", particularly on the thorax.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-18 11:00:05

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
Home Page	Search	Odonate Resources	Maps	Login	NC Biodiversity Project	Comments

Photo Gallery for Powdered Dancer 57 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Jeff Niznik Comment: Ashe, 2024-07-13, Todd Island Park, iNaturalist #266848502 - Male		Photo 2 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-07-07, William O Huske Lock and Dam 3, NC - 3:00PM at edge of river
	Photo 3 by: Steve Hall and Parker Backstrom Comment: Chatham, 2024-06-08, Seen during NCBP White Pines Preserve survey		Photo 4 by: Steve Hall and Parker Backstrom Comment: Chatham, 2024-06-08, - Andromorphic female
	Photo 5 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-06-08, South River Bridge Wildlife Ramp, Garland - 2:59P at US-701 and South River		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields Comment: Nash, 2022-06-20, Tar River at Battle Park, Rocky Mount
	Photo 7 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-05-31, Hot Springs area		Photo 8 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Wake, 2020-08-28, Wooten Meadows Park - photo by Lori Arent
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2020-08-07, Lumber River State Park - Princess Ann. Photo of female.		Photo 10 by: Ruby Sarkar Comment: Chatham, 2020-07-19, Near Bynum dam on Haw River - Mature male.
	Photo 11 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-07-01, Hot Springs area		Photo 12 by: Kyle Kittelberger Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-06-08, Naked Creek - female, brown form
	Photo 13 by: Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf Comment: Montgomery, 2020-05-16, Low Water Bridge on Uwharrie River		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2019-06-28, Black River, from Hunts Bluff Boating Access Area to 5 km upstream and back, by kayak
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Stokes, 2018-10-07, Dan River @ NC 704		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Stanly, 2018-08-31, Rocky River @ NC 138
	Photo 17 by: Mike Turner Comment: Montgomery, 2018-08-25, Uwharrie River @ Low Water Bridge		Photo 18 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park
	Photo 19 by: Mike Turner Comment: Rowan, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Scotland, 2018-07-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks Access
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Anson, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak		Photo 22 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pitt, 2018-05-25, Tar River at Falkland Boating Access Area. Photo of immature male.		Photo 24 by: Vin Stanton, Janie Owens, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2017-09-19, River Road, north of Hot Springs 35.92085° -82.87313°; - Male and Female
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Wayne, 2017-08-01, Neuse River, Seven Springs Boating Access Area
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.		Photo 28 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-07-08, Mallard Creek between Mallard Creek Church Rd and Harris Blvd.
	Photo 29 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-07-08, Mallard Creek between Mallard Creek Church Rd and Harris Blvd.		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields Comment: Alleghany, 2017-06-28, New River State Park (NERI), King's Creek Access