Sprites - Nehalennia
 This is a genus consisting of four species known to
North America. species of this genera are exceptionally small and
delicate looking. They have metallic green to black bodies
with green, blue, yellow and black markings on their dorsal thorax and
abdomens. Unlike other damsels they lack shoulder stripes and
postocular spots.
Females look similar in appearance to males and
differentiating between the two can sometimes be challenging. The
pattern of blue on the female abdomen along with examining the terminal
appendages may be helpful to identification.
Sprites are difficult to find due to their small size
and the fact that they fly low in and out of dense vegetation, usually
perching on sedges and other grasses. Sometimes only an
experienced eye can spot these little guys.
They can frequently be observed around still water
habitats such as bogs, marshes and ponds
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