NC Odonate Website

Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 2

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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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Map

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

State Status

Global Rank

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2022-06-11 11:22:53

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Fragile Forktail 73 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, 2025-01-05, Hot springs, pond sample		Photo 2 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-10-07, Harris Lake, Highlands NC
	Photo 3 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Henderson, 2024-09-05, Bat Fork Bog		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-07-24, Wilson Lakes, Nantahala National Forest
	Photo 5 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-04-14, Slades Swamp: mixed hardwoods 2 miles SW of Clarkton - Along all the creeks		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields Comment: Caldwell, 2023-05-10, Boone Fork Pond
	Photo 7 by: Mike Turner Comment: Cumberland, 2022-07-04, Jessup's Mill Pond		Photo 8 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 9 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Warren, 2022-04-27, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area		Photo 10 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-07-10, Hot Springs area - female
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hoke, 2021-05-01, Lumber River at Wagram Boating Access Area		Photo 12 by: Max Ramey Comment: Alexander, 2021-03-26, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, iNaturalist Record #72115628
	Photo 13 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-05-02, Hot Springs area, River Rd,		Photo 14 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-10-01, Hot Springs area, 3-5 pm, high 80s
	Photo 15 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 16 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Living Waters Campground, Glen Ayre.
	Photo 17 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-11, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property		Photo 18 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 19 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-27, The Village Green, Cashiers
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pamlico, 2018-06-22, Bay River at Joe Himbry Waterfront Park, Bayboro		Photo 22 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-15, Flat Branch
	Photo 23 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 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Anson, 2018-04-21, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
	Photo 25 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2018-03-16 - teneral female		Photo 26 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Hyde, 2018-02-27, Mattamuskeet NWR; on entrance to boardwalk.
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Beaufort, 2017-08-04, Palmetto Boardwalk, Goose Creek State Park (GOCR)		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Tyrrell, 2017-08-04, Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk, Columbia
	Photo 29 by: Mark Shields Comment: Alleghany, 2017-06-28, Little Glade Mill Pond, Blue Ridge Parkway		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields Comment: Washington, 2017-06-16, Conaby Creek, from boating access area to 2.25 km upstream by kayak