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 2022 = 94
Added in 2022 from a previous year = 20

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) by Mark Shields
Compare with:   Distinctive
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Note: The character applies to both sexes.

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Click on county for list of all its records for Fragile Forktail
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide, recorded from all 100 counties.
Abundance Abundant nearly everywhere; arguably the most widespread and frequently seen damselfly in the state, though not occurring in the abundance that the Citrine Forktail can be found in the Sandhills region.
Flight As with many forktails, the flight is very long -- mid-February to mid-November.
Habitat A wide variety of wet grassy areas, typically around pond or lake margins, slow-moving streams, etc.
Behavior This tiny species (as are other forktails) is easily overlooked by the casual observer, often hidden amid the grasses and other vegetation along a pond margin or the edge of a creek or river.
Comments As with the Citrine Forktail, this is an easily found species, all across the state for most of the warmer months. Because it is a tiny species, its numbers in the state may equal or exceed the numbers of individuals of abundant dragonfly species such as Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk. However, owing to its tiny size, observers might need to be patient, bend down to look closely in the dense waterside vegetation, and often simply wait for movement to spot these damselflies.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2022-06-11 11:22:53
Photo Gallery for Fragile Forktail   66 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Cumberland, 2022-07-04, Jessup's Mill Pond		Photo 2 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-06-29, RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, off Nevin Road. Edges of ponds. - Counted 71, but with more time more could have been found. Late afternoon.
Photo 3 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Warren, 2022-04-27, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area		Photo 4 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-07-10, Hot Springs area - female
Photo 5 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Hoke, 2021-05-01, Lumber River at Wagram Boating Access Area		Photo 6 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-05-02, Hot Springs area, River Rd,
Photo 7 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2019-10-01, Hot Springs area, 3-5 pm, high 80s		Photo 8 by: John Petranka

Comment: Avery, 2019-05-20, Linville River at Linville Falls Picnic Area third loop, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Male.
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Living Waters Campground, Glen Ayre.		Photo 10 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-11, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
Photo 11 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Wilkes; M, 2019-05-05, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). East Prong of the Roaring River at the Bridle Loop Trail parking area. Along stream restoration site. - Male.		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-27, The Village Green, Cashiers		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pamlico, 2018-06-22, Bay River at Joe Himbry Waterfront Park, Bayboro
Photo 15 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-15, Flat Branch		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Rockingham, 2018-05-13, Mayo River State Park (MARI) - Mayo Mountain Access - at ponds near park office
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Anson, 2018-04-21, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge		Photo 18 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2018-03-16 - teneral female
Photo 19 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin

Comment: Hyde, 2018-02-27, Mattamuskeet NWR; on entrance to boardwalk.		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Beaufort, 2017-08-04, Palmetto Boardwalk, Goose Creek State Park (GOCR)
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Tyrrell, 2017-08-04, Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk, Columbia		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Alleghany, 2017-06-28, Little Glade Mill Pond, Blue Ridge Parkway
Photo 23 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Washington, 2017-06-16, Conaby Creek, from boating access area to 2.25 km upstream by kayak		Photo 24 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-12, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, wetland near Greenway - At least 4 different males, 2 females in brush near river
Photo 25 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Scotland, 2017-05-15, Small streamhead pond about 150 m west of 17 Frog Pond, Sandhills Game Land
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Currituck, 2017-04-14, Maple Park, Barco		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Camden, 2017-04-14, Dismal Swamp State Park (DISW)
Photo 29 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Gates, 2017-04-14, Merchants Millpond State park (MEMI)		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2017-03-01, Holly Shelter Game Land, Greentree impoundment along Northeast Cape Fear River