NC Odonate Website

Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 6

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum) by John Petranka, Jim Petranka

Compare with: Azure Bluet Attenuated Bluet Turquoise Bluet Pale Bluet
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 Slender Bluet

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the mountains and Piedmont, and over the western half of the Coastal Plain, barely reaching the counties along the western part of Albemarle Sound.

Abundance

Fairly common, to very locally common, over the mountains and Piedmont; rare to uncommon (at least formerly) in the Coastal Plain, with but one recent report. More numerous in the mountains than downstate.

Flight

Early or mid-May to late August in the mountains and Piedmont, but the Coastal Plain records extend only to mid-July (though should occur to the end of August).

Habitat

A variety of lakes and ponds, typically with emergent vegetation.

See also Habitat Account for General Pond Shorelines

Behavior

Males often perch on stubs or twigs low over the water, well out from shore. Thus, it is more readily visible -- in full sun -- than a number of other bluet species. Of course, females tend to stay close to shore in thick vegetation, as with other bluets.

Comments

As with so many of our damselflies, there are few people looking for them in recent years in the upper half of the Coastal Plain; thus, it is no surprise that there is but a single recent flight date record from this large region. (Most odonate field work in the Coastal Plain occurs in the Sandhills and eastward to the southern half of the coast.)

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-18 15:32:28

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Slender Bluet 27 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent, Audrey Whitlock Comment: Ashe, 2024-06-12, - Ashe County Park lake; many in copulation; photo by Lori Arent		Photo 2 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Alamance, 2024-04-27, Haw River--Swepsonville to Saxapahaw - new early date?
	Photo 3 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Mecklenburg, 2023-05-06, Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve - assuming teneral because of the color		Photo 4 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Mecklenburg, 2023-05-06, Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve - assuming teneral because of the color
	Photo 5 by: John Petranka Comment: Granville, 2021-06-28, Turtle Pond. Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area near Stem, NC. - Male.		Photo 6 by: L. Arent Comment: Yadkin, 2021-06-07, Yadkin County Park
	Photo 7 by: Kevin Markham Comment: Wake, 2021-06-06, Harris Lake County Park - 8 tandem pairs, one lone individual		Photo 8 by: Kevin Markham Comment: Wake, 2021-05-31, Salem Pond Park, Apex - male
	Photo 9 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-08-12, Pond at Wolf Laurel exit, I-26		Photo 10 by: Doug Allen Comment: Polk; P, 2020-06-14, Caroland Farms - NC section, private ponds - 14 pair in tandem
	Photo 11 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2018-06-01, Wetland area near Little Tennessee River in Franklin - Male; perched near wetland pond		Photo 12 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-06-13 - Roosevelt Wilson Park in Davidson. Many mated pairs.
	Photo 13 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka Comment: Madison, 2016-06-06, Wolf Laurel Community Park Pond, Alternate US Hwy. 23 at Laurel Valley Rd. Both sexes, many tandem pairs. Photo.		Photo 14 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2016-06-01, Brumley Forest Preserve, Triangle Land Conservancy Preserve. Near main pond on south side of Hwy. NC 10. Many tandem pairs. Photo.
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2015-07-15, Little Glade Millpond, along Blue Ridge Parkway about 0.5 mi. south of US 21 at Mile Marker 230 - Males		Photo 16 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2014-07-07, Bear Creek Junction ponds
	Photo 17 by: Mike Turner Comment: Orange, 2013-06-22, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area - in wheel at upper pond		Photo 18 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Madison, 2012-06-08, Leach Pond, close to Sandy Mush Game Land
	Photo 19 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Haywood, 2011-06-08, Haywood Community College - Male & Female		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Haywood, 2011-06-08, Haywood Community College - Male & Female
	Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Haywood, 2011-06-08, Haywood Community College - Male & Female		Photo 22 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-05-28, Beaver Lake Asheville - Male & Female
	Photo 23 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2011-05-28, Beaver Lake Asheville - Male & Female		Photo 24 by: Lori Owenby Comment: Catawba, 2009-06-04, all sightings from Riverbend Park - two on each side of our 3/4-acre pond edges
	Photo 25 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Haywood, 2007-06-09, Haywood Community College		Photo 26 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Iredell, 2007-06-02, Allison Woods - Mated pair
	Photo 27 by: Patrick Coin Comment: Orange, 2003-06-10, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area - female