Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Slender Bluet

Enallagma traviatum westfalli

Selys, 1876

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The Slender Bluet subspecies present in Nebraska is Enallagma traviatum westfalli. The male is pale blue with large postocular spots and very narrow shoulder stripes. Abdominal segments 1-7 are mostly black on top. Segments 8 and 9 are blue. The females may be blue or tan.

Rare. This is an eastern pond species barely reaching southeastern Nebraska. It was first reported from Sarpy County by Loren and Babs Padelford, and the only additonal records since are from Dodge and Butler Counties. Despite the limited county records, it can be super abundant at the Fremont Lakes SRA in Dodge County. This species will fly on overcast days and even in light drizzle when other species of the genus are hiding.

Slender Bluet
Slender Bluet

Photo courtesy of Loren and Babs Padelford.

Size: 28-32 mm (1.1-1.3 in)

Habitat: ponds and lakes with dense emergent vegetation

Great Plains Range: TX, OK, KS, NE, MO, IA

Flight season: early July to early August

Slender Bluet map

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.


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