Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Aztec Dancer

Argia nahuana

Calvert, 1902

Male Aztec Dancers are bright blue with black abdominal rings. Their black shoulder stripes are usually forked in the upper 1/2 and their legs are pale. Females are pale brown or pale blue.

Uncommon. This western and southern species reaches its northern limits in Nebraska. There is one record from Sioux County (White River near Glen) in the extreme northwest portion of the state, but otherwise the species is restricted to more southern counties. It is found mainly on small, clear, sandy or muddy streams through pasture areas and occasionally on ponds associated with such streams. It is occasionally common but there are usually just a few individuals. The first specimen was collected in Lincoln County in 1964 but was not identified before a second specimen was collected in 2006. There are now records from 16 counties but the species was probably always present and just overlooked.

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