Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Skimming Bluet

Enallagma geminatum

Kellicott, 1895

The Skimming Bluet male is a tiny, mostly black damsel which perches on floating vegetation. The thorax is mostly turquoise blue, but the abdomen nearly all black, except for segments 8 and 9. The female has similar markings, but the thorax color may be tan instead of blue. The female's abdominal segment 8 has a pair of large blue spots on the top.

This is an eastern species reaching its western limit in the middleof Nebraska, where it is uncommon. There are only a few records west of the center of the state. It is found in borrow pit ponds, weedy coves on lakes, and a variety of similar habitats. It often appears on lily pads, but is rarely common.

Photo courtesy of Loren and Babs Padelford.

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