NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 5

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Little Blue Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax minuscula) by John Petranka

Compare with: Blue Dasher Elfin Skimmer
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 Little Blue Dragonlet

Flight Charts

Distribution

Statewide, and probably occurring in all 100 counties. However, distribution is somewhat spotty in the western half of the Piedmont, probably owing to its inconspicuous behavior and tiny size, making it hard to encounter where not numerous.

Abundance

Easily overlooked because of its tiny size and inconspicuous behavior, and thus is much more numerous in reality than observations may suggest. Numerous (common) in the southern half of the Coastal Plain (Sandhills east to Croatan National Forest in Craven/Carteret counties); only fairly common in the northern Coastal Plain. Uncommon in the eastern half of the Piedmont, but rare to uncommon in the western Piedmont and mountains.

Flight

A very long flight season. In the Coastal Plain from mid-March to late December, though not numerous until mid-May and after the end of November. The Piedmont flight is somewhat shortened -- from early May (rarely in April) to mid-November, but rare after late September. In the mountains, it is mainly from mid-May to late September.

Habitat

Ponds, lakes, marshes, and slower portions of rivers, typically places in full or partial sun.

Behavior

Next to the Elfin Skimmer, which is even smaller, this species is the most inconspicuous dragonfly that frequents open fields, powerline clearings, savannas, and other sunny places. Adults perch low in vegetation, often down in grasses and forbs, and make short flights, often barely above one's ankles.

Comments

Males can be confused with the larger Eastern Pondhawk or slightly larger Blue Dasher, or with the slightly smaller Elfin Skimmer, and females can also be confusing to beginners. People who spend much time looking at wildflowers in savannas and powerline clearings become familiar with this species, as its favored foraging areas tend to be such diverse, moist herbaceous areas.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 14:39:14

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Little Blue Dragonlet 40 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-10-06, Suggs Mill Pond Gamelands, Horseshoe Lake - 2PM on banks of Horseshoe Lake		Photo 2 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-10-06, Suggs Mill Pond Gamelands, Horseshoe Lake - 2PM on banks of Horseshoe Lake
	Photo 3 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-27, Salters Creek Gamelands Ponds, Sealevel - 1:14P in ditches along road		Photo 4 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Carteret, 2024-07-27, Salters Creek Gamelands Ponds, Sealevel - 1:14P in ditches along road
	Photo 5 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-07-24, Wilson Lakes, Nantahala National Forest		Photo 6 by: Max Ramey Comment: Watauga, 2021-10-16, Brookshire Park Wetlands
	Photo 7 by: Erich P. Hofmann Comment: Columbus, 2021-09-24, Lake Waccamaw State Park along the Lakeshore Trail, ca. lat. 34.257, long. -78.488. iNat record #96007749 - Male. Caught in spider web		Photo 8 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-09-14, Wolf Laurel Exit
	Photo 9 by: Tom Howe Comment: Swain, 2021-09-03, Fairview Cemetery, 0.3 mi west of campsite #81 in GSMNP - perching on debris on open ground		Photo 10 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Richmond; C, 2021-07-15, Sandhills Game Land
	Photo 11 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Comment: Hoke, 2020-05-14, Nicholson Creek Game Land		Photo 12 by: John Petranka, Mark Shields Comment: Durham, 2019-04-18, Eno River State Park (ENRI) Cole Mill Section. Along powerline corridor SW of Old Cole Mill Rd. - Male.
	Photo 13 by: Mike Turner Comment: Scotland, 2018-11-10, Sandhill Game Land; Cameron Lake - adult male		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alleghany, 2018-06-17, Little Glade Mill Pond at mile marker 230 on the Blue Ridge Parkway - adult male		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-07-23, my property, Holly Ridge
	Photo 17 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-20, - Jones Lake. Many seen early in the day and several more later with Mike Turner		Photo 18 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 19 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Carteret, 2017-04-30, - Males and Females in high numbers around Patsy Pond and eastern Croatan National Forest.		Photo 20 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2016-06-09, McDowell
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-09-01, Holly Shelter Game Land		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2015-07-01, Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 23 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary		Photo 24 by: John Petranka Comment: Alleghany, 2014-07-04, Little Glade Millpond, along Blue Ridge Parkway about 0.5 mi. south of US 21 at Mile Marker 230 - Male
	Photo 25 by: John Petranka Comment: Bladen, 2014-06-01, Horseshoe Lake, Bladen County Game Land. Around the dam. - 2 males, 2 females. Photograph of female.		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2014-05-24, Small pond in Holly Ridge
	Photo 27 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wake, 2014-05-06, Lake Raleigh		Photo 28 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Edith Tatum Comment: Orange, 2013-07-16, odeing at Occoneechee Mountain - awesome comparison with Blue Dasher
	Photo 29 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Edith Tatum Comment: Orange, 2013-07-16, odeing at Occoneechee Mountain		Photo 30 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Edith Tatum Comment: Orange, 2013-07-16, odeing at Occoneechee Mountain - awesome comparison with Blue Dasher