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Coenagrionidae - Pond Damselflies

There are over 1,100 species in this family. They are found around the world.

Pond damsels are 1-2 inches in length. They can be red, green, blue, purple, orange, or yellow. Males are usually more brightly colored than females. Pond damsels have narrow, transparent wings that they hold vertically over their bodies when they are at rest.

The nymphs in this family are found on submerged vegetation and rocks. They have three leaf-like gills on the end of their abdomens and are usually found in environments with still water.

Pond damsels are also known as narrow-winged damselflies.

  • The green striped slender dartlet is found in Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
    Green Striped Slender Dartlet
    (Aciagrion occidentale)
    The green striped slender dartlet is found in Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • The sapphire bluet is found in South Africa.
    Sapphire Bluet
    (Africallagma sapphirinum)
    The sapphire bluet is found in South Africa.
  • The white-masked wisp is found in South Africa.
    White-Masked Wisp
    (Agriocnemis falcifera)
    The white-masked wisp is found in South Africa.
  • The variable wisp is found from India to China, Japan, Australia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean.
    Variable Wisp
    (Agriocnemis femina)
    The variable wisp is found from India to China, Japan, Australia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean.
  • The Kerala dartlet is found in India.
    Kerala Dartlet
    (Agriocnemis keralensis)
    The Kerala dartlet is found in India.
  • Agriocnemis nana is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
    Agriocnemis nana
    (Agriocnemis nana)
    Agriocnemis nana is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • The white dartlet is found in India.
    White Dartlet
    (Agriocnemis pieris)
    The white dartlet is found in India.
  • The wandering midget is found over much of Asia into Australia.
    Wandering Midget
    (Agriocnemis pygmaea)
    The wandering midget is found over much of Asia into Australia.
  • The splendid dartlet is found in India and Pakistan.
    Splendid Dartlet
    (Agriocnemis Splendissima)
    The splendid dartlet is found in India and Pakistan.
  • The western red damsel is found in western Canada and the western U.S.
    Western Red Damsel
    (Amphiagrion abbreviatum)
    The western red damsel is found in western Canada and the western U.S.
  • The California dancer is found from Oregon south to California and Arizona. it is also found in Mexico.
    California Dancer
    (Argia agrioides)
    The California dancer is found from Oregon south to California and Arizona. it is also found in Mexico.
  • The cerulean dancer is found from southern Arizona south to Costa Rica. It is also known as the Mexican blue dancer.
    Cerulean Dancer
    (Argia anceps)
    The cerulean dancer is found from southern Arizona south to Costa Rica. It is also known as the Mexican blue dancer.
  • The blue-fronted dancer is found east of the Rocky Mountains from Ontario to Florida and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
    Blue-Fronted Dancer
    (Argia apicalis)
    The blue-fronted dancer is found east of the Rocky Mountains from Ontario to Florida and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
  • The Comanche dancer is found in Texas and Mexico.
    Comanche Dancer
    (Argia barretti)
    The Comanche dancer is found in Texas and Mexico.
  • The seepage dancer is found in the eastern U.S. from New Jersey to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas.
    Seepage Dancer
    (Argia bipunctulata)
    The seepage dancer is found in the eastern U.S. from New Jersey to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas.
  • The spine-tipped dancer is found in southern Arizona, Mexico, and Central America.
    Spine-Tipped Dancer
    (Argia extranea)
    The spine-tipped dancer is found in southern Arizona, Mexico, and Central America.
  • The variable dancer is found in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. and in southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Variable Dancer
    (Argia fumipennis)
    The variable dancer is found in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. and in southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • The Kiowa dancer is found from California eastward to South Dakota and Texas south through Mexico to Belize.
    Kiowa Dancer
    (Argia immunda)
    The Kiowa dancer is found from California eastward to South Dakota and Texas south through Mexico to Belize.
  • The sooty dancer is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
    Sooty Dancer
    (Argia lugens)
    The sooty dancer is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
  • The powdered dancer is found across much of the U.S. It is also found in Mexico and Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Powdered Dancer
    (Argia moesta)
    The powdered dancer is found across much of the U.S. It is also found in Mexico and Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • The Aztec dancer is found from Oregon south to California and east to Texas and Oklahoma.
    Aztec Dancer
    (Argia nahuana)
    The Aztec dancer is found from Oregon south to California and east to Texas and Oklahoma.
  • The springwater dancer is found in the central U.S. from Arkansas north to Wisconsin and west to Arizona. It is also found south through Mexico to Guatemala.
    Springwater Dancer
    (Argia plana)
    The springwater dancer is found in the central U.S. from Arkansas north to Wisconsin and west to Arizona. It is also found south through Mexico to Guatemala.
  • The blue-ringed dancer is found from Pennsylvania to Florida and west to California. It is also found in Mexico.
    Blue-Ringed Dancer
    (Argia sedula)
    The blue-ringed dancer is found from Pennsylvania to Florida and west to California. It is also found in Mexico.
  • The blue-tipped dancer is found in the eastern U.S. from Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas.
    Blue-Tipped Dancer
    (Argia tibialis)
    The blue-tipped dancer is found in the eastern U.S. from Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas.
  • The dusky dancer is found in the eastern and southern U.S. It is found in southeast New Hampshire, but it is restricted to large rivers.
    Dusky Dancer
    (Argia translata)
    The dusky dancer is found in the eastern and southern U.S. It is found in southeast New Hampshire, but it is restricted to large rivers.
  • The vivid dancer is found in western Canada and the western U.S.
    Vivid Dancer
    (Argia vivida)
    The vivid dancer is found in western Canada and the western U.S.
  • The black-tailed bluet is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is also known as the sailing bluet and the sailing azuret.
    Black-Tailed Bluet
    (Azuragrion nigridorsum)
    The black-tailed bluet is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is also known as the sailing bluet and the sailing azuret.
  • The orange-tailed marsh dart is found from Pakistan to southern Vietnam and south to Java.
    Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart
    (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum)
    The orange-tailed marsh dart is found from Pakistan to southern Vietnam and south to Java.
  • The Coromandel marsh dart is found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
    Coromandel Marsh Dart
    (Ceriagrion coromandelianum)
    The Coromandel marsh dart is found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
  • Ceriagrion melanurum is found in China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan.
    Ceriagrion melanurum
    (Ceriagrion melanurum)
    Ceriagrion melanurum is found in China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan.
  • The rusty marsh dart is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
    Rusty Marsh Dart
    (Ceriagrion olivaceum)
    The rusty marsh dart is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • The small red damselfly is found in Europe and Northern Africa.
    Small Red Damselfly
    (Ceriagrion tenellum)
    The small red damselfly is found in Europe and Northern Africa.
  • The northern bluet is found throughout Canada and northern United States, including the mountains in the west. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Northern Bluet
    (Enallagma annexum)
    The northern bluet is found throughout Canada and northern United States, including the mountains in the west. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • The azure bluet is found throughout southeastern Canada and eastern United States, including New Hampshire.
    Azure Bluet
    (Enallagma aspersum)
    The azure bluet is found throughout southeastern Canada and eastern United States, including New Hampshire.
  • The boreal bluet is found coast to coast in northern North America. In the U.S. it is found from California to New England and south to Virginia, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Boreal Bluet
    (Enallagma boreale)
    The boreal bluet is found coast to coast in northern North America. In the U.S. it is found from California to New England and south to Virginia, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The marsh bluet is found throughout the northern United States and southern Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Marsh Bluet
    (Enallagma ebrium)
    The marsh bluet is found throughout the northern United States and southern Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The stream bluet is found in the eastern to central United States and southeast Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Stream Bluet
    (Enallagma exsulans)
    The stream bluet is found in the eastern to central United States and southeast Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The skimming bluet is found in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada from Florida to Quebec west to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Skimming Bluet
    (Enallagma geminatum)
    The skimming bluet is found in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada from Florida to Quebec west to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma and Texas. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The scarlet bluet is found in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and southern Maine. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
    Scarlet Bluet
    (Enallagma pictum)
    The scarlet bluet is found in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and southern Maine. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
  • The arroyo bluet is found from North Dakota south to Texas and west to California and south through Mexico to Guatemala and Belize.
    Arroyo Bluet
    (Enallagma praevarum)
    The arroyo bluet is found from North Dakota south to Texas and west to California and south through Mexico to Guatemala and Belize.
  • The orange bluet is found from the eastern to central United States and in southeast Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Orange Bluet
    (Enallagma signatum)
    The orange bluet is found from the eastern to central United States and in southeast Canada. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The Pacific forktail is found from Alberta Canada and the Pacific Northwest south to New Mexico and Baja California.
    Pacific Forktail
    (Ischnura cervula)
    The Pacific forktail is found from Alberta Canada and the Pacific Northwest south to New Mexico and Baja California.
  • The citrine forktail is found from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to Colorado and California. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains, but it is rare. It is also found in Mexico and Central and South America.
    Citrine Forktail
    (Ischnura hastata)
    The citrine forktail is found from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to Colorado and California. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains, but it is rare. It is also found in Mexico and Central and South America.
  • The lilypad forktail is found in the eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
    Lilypad Forktail
    (Ischnura kellicotti)
    The lilypad forktail is found in the eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains.
  • The fragile forktail is found from Newfoundland south to Florida and Texas and west to North Dakota. It is also found from Mexico to Guatemala and it has been introduced to Hawaii. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Fragile Forktail
    (Ischnura posita)
    The fragile forktail is found from Newfoundland south to Florida and Texas and west to North Dakota. It is also found from Mexico to Guatemala and it has been introduced to Hawaii. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • Rambur's forktail is found from Maine south to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas. It is also found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is found along the coast in New Hampshire.
    Rambur's Forktail
    (Ischnura ramburii)
    Rambur's forktail is found from Maine south to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas. It is also found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is found along the coast in New Hampshire.
  • The eastern forktail is found from Newfoundland south through Georgia and west to Montana and new Mexico. The eastern forktail is found across New Hampshire.
    Eastern Forktail
    (Ischnura verticalis)
    The eastern forktail is found from Newfoundland south through Georgia and west to Montana and new Mexico. The eastern forktail is found across New Hampshire.
  • The crimson Hawaiian damselfly is found on the island of Oahu in the Hawaii.
    Crimson Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion leptodemas)
    The crimson Hawaiian damselfly is found on the island of Oahu in the Hawaii.
  • The orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.
    Orangeblack Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion leptodemas)
    The orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.
  • The flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly was once found on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, but it is now only found in east Maui.
    Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion nesiotes)
    The flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly was once found on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, but it is now only found in east Maui.
  • The blackline Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii.
    Blackline Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion nigrohamatum)
    The blackline Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii.
  • The Oceanic Hawaiian damselfly is found on the island of Oahu in the Hawaii.
    Oceanic Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion oceanicum)
    The Oceanic Hawaiian damselfly is found on the island of Oahu in the Hawaii.
  • The Pacific Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii on the islands Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.
    Pacific Hawaiian Damselfly
    (Megalagrion pacificum)
    The Pacific Hawaiian damselfly is found in Hawaii on the islands Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.
  • The four-spot midget is found in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
    Four-Spot Midget
    (Mortonagrion hirosei)
    The four-spot midget is found in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
  • The sphagnum sprite is found in the eastern U.S. and in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island in Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Sphagnum Sprite
    (Nehalennia gracilis)
    The sphagnum sprite is found in the eastern U.S. and in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island in Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • The southern sprite is found in the eastern U.S. form New York to Texas.
    Southern Sprite
    (Nehalennia integricollis)
    The southern sprite is found in the eastern U.S. form New York to Texas.
  • The sedge sprite is found across much of the northern U.S. and southern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
    Sedge Sprite
    (Nehalennia irene)
    The sedge sprite is found across much of the northern U.S. and southern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire.
  • The pygmy damselfly is found in Austria, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.
    Pygmy Damselfly
    (Nehalennia speciosa)
    The pygmy damselfly is found in Austria, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.
  • The dusky lily squatter is found in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
    Dusky Lilysquatter
    (Paracercion calamorum)
    The dusky lily squatter is found in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
  • The eastern lily squatter is found in China, Japan, Macao, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
    Eastern Lilysquatter
    (Paracercion melanotum)
    The eastern lily squatter is found in China, Japan, Macao, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
  • The round-winged bluet is found in South Africa.
    Round-Winged Bluet
    (Proischnura rotundipennis)
    The round-winged bluet is found in South Africa.
  • The Acacia sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Acacia Sprite
    (Pseudagrion acaciae)
    The Acacia sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The springwater sprite is found in South Africa.
    Springwater Sprite
    (Pseudagrion caffrum)
    The springwater sprite is found in South Africa.
  • The Yellow-faced sprite is found in South Africa.
    Yellow-Faced Sprite
    (Pseudagrion citricola)
    The Yellow-faced sprite is found in South Africa.
  • The black sprite is found in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Black Sprite
    (Pseudagrion commoniae)
    The black sprite is found in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The mountain sprite is found in South Africa.
    Mountain Sprite
    (Pseudagrion draconis)
    The mountain sprite is found in South Africa.
  • The great sprite is found in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Great Sprite
    (Pseudagrion gamblesi)
    The great sprite is found in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The painted sprite is found in Angola, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Painted Sprite
    (Pseudagrion hageni)
    The painted sprite is found in Angola, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Hamon's sprite is found across much of Africa.
    Hamon's Sprite
    (Pseudagrion hamoni)
    Hamon's sprite is found across much of Africa.
  • The yellow-stripped dart is found in India.
    Yellow-Stripped Dart
    (Pseudagrion indicum)
    The yellow-stripped dart is found in India.
  • The Badplaas sprite is found in South Africa.
    Badplaas Sprite
    (Pseudagrion inopinatum)
    The Badplaas sprite is found in South Africa.
  • Kerstens sprite is found across much of Africa.
    Kerstens Sprite
    (Pseudagrion kersteni)
    Kerstens sprite is found across much of Africa.
  • The Masai sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Masai Sprite
    (Pseudagrion massaicum)
    The Masai sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The blue sprite is found in Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
    Blue Sprite
    (Pseudagrion microcephalum)
    The blue sprite is found in Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • The harlequin sprite is found in South Africa.
    Harlequin Sprite
    (Pseudagrion newtoni)
    The harlequin sprite is found in South Africa.
  • The Salisbury sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Salisbury Sprite
    (Pseudagrion salisburyense)
    The Salisbury sprite is found in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The powder sprite is found in Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Powder Sprite
    (Pseudagrion spernatum)
    The powder sprite is found in Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • The cherry-eye sprite is found in much of Africa.
    Cherry-Eye Sprite
    (Pseudagrion sublacteum)
    The cherry-eye sprite is found in much of Africa.
  • The large red damsel is found in much of Europe with some populations found in Northern Morocco, northern Tunisia and in the mountains of Southwest Asia.
    Large Red Damsel
    (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)
    The large red damsel is found in much of Europe with some populations found in Northern Morocco, northern Tunisia and in the mountains of Southwest Asia.
  • The duckweed firetail is found in the southeastern U.S. from Florida to Texas.
    Duckweed Firetail
    (Telebasis byersi)
    The duckweed firetail is found in the southeastern U.S. from Florida to Texas.

Did You Know?

The blue fronted dancer is one of the species found in this family.
The blue fronted dancer is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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