The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 9

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[View PDF]		Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Slaty Skimmer   Double-ringed Pennant  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.
Erythrodiplax_berenice

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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 S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 14:35:16
Photo Gallery for Seaside Dragonlet   23 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: Mark Shields

Comment: Carteret, 2020-08-10, Cedar Island - abundant
Photo 7 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Carteret, 2020-08-10, Cedar Island - abundant		Photo 8 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: New Hanover, 2020-06-26, Basin Trail at Fort Fisher
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pamlico, 2018-06-22, Spring Creek Waterfowl Impoundment, Goose Creek Game Lands		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2017-09-03, Everett Creek Nature Preserve
Photo 11 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Onslow, 2017-05-27, - Marshes around boat landing under the NC 210 bridge. 		Photo 12 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Carteret, 2017-04-30, - Single female ovipositing in pond in front of Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium.
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Hyde, 2016-07-08, Gull Rock Game Land		Photo 14 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Dare; OBL, 2015-09-10, Soundside Access Point outside Buxton; 35.270850, -75.519477 - 4 adult males
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Ft. Fisher - common in grass and saltmarsh around Battery Buchanan		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2015-06-22, salt marsh at Soundside Park, Surf City
Photo 17 by: Kristy Baker

Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2015-06-12, Roanoke Island Marsh Game Land - There were incredible numbers of Seaside Dragonlets all over.		Photo 18 by: Kristy Baker

Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2015-05-17, Permuda Island		Photo 20 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2011-07-15, Alligator River NWR - Common in open areas in the refuge
Photo 21 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: Pender, 2010-07-28, Poplar Grove Plantation		Photo 22 by: K. Bischof

Comment: Beaufort, 2010-07-04, Goose Creek State Park - Observed along the Pamlico Riverfront. Male-like form female.
Photo 23 by: Randy Newman

Comment: Carteret, 2004-05-12, Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area - Common in saltmarsh, juvenile spotted form female