Sierra Damsel - Zoniagrion
Only one species, which is found in North America. It
is closely related to the family Ischnura. This is a
slender damselfly, medium in size colored in blue and black. Eyes
brown in color or black over light brown or greenish with large
comma-shaped blue postocular spots. Face blue-green, labrum black.
The mature male's dorsal thorax blue and black with a the antehumeral
stripes resembling exclamation marks !! The abdomen is black with blue
dorsally on segment 1&2 and 7-9. Individuals may become pruinose gray or
blue on thorax or on abdominal tip with age.
The female is similar to the male but has blue on
abdominal segments 7&8. Females have exclamation points on
their thorax but may be merged, and the labrum blue-grey, with the
remainder of the face yellow, occipital bar complete. Females have
a vulvar spine.
This damsel can be observed in northern California perched on vegetation with
its wings slightly open. It prefers permanent pools and streams that
have muddy banks.
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