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With a genus of fifteen species in North America, these damselflies are small, slender and delicate
looking. In the mature male, the lateral sides of the thorax is
generally green, but also seen in various color combinations of green,
blue and black. The abdomen is usually solid above, with the exception
of segments 8 & 9 which is a brightly colored blue and may have a black
marking at the tip. Forktails are distinguished from other pond damsels by a tiny projection extending
above the tip of the males abdomen looking like a split or fork, hence
it's common name "forktails" . Usually this unique characteristic
can only be seen with in-hand examination. Forktails have
postocular spots, an intraocular line is absent. Most species have a forewing
stigma different in color than that of the hind wing.
Females in almost all the species are dimorphic, with some intermediate
forms occurring. In the homeochromatic forms, females are similar
in appearance to males pertaining to head and thoracic patterns,
while in the heterchromatic forms, females are usually tan, orange,
green, blue, gray and black. |
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Forktails are weak fliers can be found flying low in and
out of vegetation along ponds, marshes, lakes,
streams, bogs, most anyplace where there is water. |