Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Skimming Bluet

Enallagma geminatum

Kellicott, 1895

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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.

Skimming Bluet
Skimming Bluet male

Photo courtesy of Loren and Babs Padelford.

Size: 22-28 mm (0.9-1.1 in)

Habitat: slow streams and vegetated areas of lakes and ponds

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

Flight season: late May to early September

Skimming Bluet map

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


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