NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:		Number of records for 2025 = 1
Added in 2025-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2022-06-18)

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Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Slaty Skimmer Double-ringed Pennant
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 females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Seaside Dragonlet

Flight Charts

Distribution

Strictly coastal, though found around the inner margins of Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and along other estuarine rivers.

Abundance

Common, to locally abundant, at least along the southern and central coastal areas, and around the mainland side of Pamlico Sound. Certainly less numerous around the margin of Albemarle Sound, as there are numerous counties along that "bay" without confirmed records. There are several counts of 300 or more individuals in a day, indicating that it can be abundant in certain places.

Flight

A very long flight period, from the end of April to early November. Mainly beginning in mid-May, and often not becoming numerous until June.

Habitat

Brackish to salt marshes and other wet grasslands close to the coast.

See also Habitat Account for Salt and Brackish Marshes

Behavior

Both sexes perch conspicuously on twigs or other low vegetation, usually near a marsh but at times hundreds of yards from marshes.

Comments

This is one of only several "estuarine" dragonflies in NC, along with Four-spotted Pennant, Needham's Skimmer, and Marl Pennant. If it weren't for its habitat, males would be easily confused with Double-ringed Pennant; however, in reality only Slaty Skimmer is of possible confusion, though the skimmer is much larger. Females and immatures look vaguely like Blue Dashers and various pennants. This species is usually easily found in its restricted habitat, though it can be overlooked because of its small size.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

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Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 14:35:16

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Seaside Dragonlet 24 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-29, Cedar Island NCWRC Boat Ramp/Ferry Terminal - 2:12P along banks of lagoon		Photo 2 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-28, Salters Creek Gamelands Ponds, Sealevel - 8:59A along gravel road
	Photo 3 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-27, Salters Creek Gamelands Ponds, Sealevel - 1:19P along gravel road		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Dare; OBM, 2023-08-06, Pea Island NWR--North Pond
	Photo 5 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Dare; OBM, 2023-08-06, Pea Island NWR--North Pond		Photo 6 by: Jeff Niznik Comment: New Hanover, 2022-06-18, Carolina Beach (town), iNaturalist #123287660
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2020-08-10, Cedar Island - abundant		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2020-08-10, Cedar Island - abundant
	Photo 9 by: Jan Hansen Comment: New Hanover, 2020-06-26, Basin Trail at Fort Fisher		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pamlico, 2018-06-22, Spring Creek Waterfowl Impoundment, Goose Creek Game Lands
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-09-03, Everett Creek Nature Preserve		Photo 12 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2017-05-27, - Marshes around boat landing under the NC 210 bridge.
	Photo 13 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Carteret, 2017-04-30, - Single female ovipositing in pond in front of Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium.		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Hyde, 2016-07-08, Gull Rock Game Land
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-09-10, Soundside Access Point outside Buxton; 35.270850, -75.519477 - 4 adult males		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Ft. Fisher - common in grass and saltmarsh around Battery Buchanan
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-06-22, salt marsh at Soundside Park, Surf City		Photo 18 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2015-06-12, Roanoke Island Marsh Game Land - There were incredible numbers of Seaside Dragonlets all over.
	Photo 19 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2015-05-17, Permuda Island
	Photo 21 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2011-07-15, Alligator River NWR - Common in open areas in the refuge		Photo 22 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Pender, 2010-07-28, Poplar Grove Plantation
	Photo 23 by: K. Bischof Comment: Beaufort, 2010-07-04, Goose Creek State Park - Observed along the Pamlico Riverfront. Male-like form female.		Photo 24 by: Randy Newman Comment: Carteret, 2004-05-12, Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area - Common in saltmarsh, juvenile spotted form female