DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

Violet Tail, Argia fumipennis violacea

Order: Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Size: Up to 1 1⁄4"

Habitat: Ponds, streams, lakes with vegetation

Range: Throughout the contiguous United States

The Violet Tail, or Violet Dancer, is one the most common damselflies in the United States and southern Canada. These tiny relatives of the dragonflies are characterized by extremely thin, long abdomens and generally clear wings with narrow bases that are held together above the back when at rest (although some species do keep their wings apart, but not flat like dragonflies). The Violet Tail is beautifully marked with violet and black (in males) and brown and black (in females). Some individuals of southern races have dark wings. They fly over shallow, weedy waters, catching small insects in the air, and are often seen flying clasped together in male/female pairs. The eggs are laid in the water and hatch into aquatic nymph forms. The adult male is illustrated.