Enallagma laterale

Type: invertebrate

Status: special concern

Species Guide

New England bluet

Enallagma laterale

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status: special concern

IDENTIFICATION

A small species about one inch in length, its abdomen is most often more blue than black. The head has small blue tear-shaped spots usually attached by a narrow line. The mature female looks similar to the male, but has blue areas replaced with tan or pale green. Juvenile females are pale blue.

 

Distribution & Habitat

This species shows a preference for spring-fed lakes and ponds with well-developed marginal bogs and an abundant growth of sphagnum. New England bluets are found in the northern regions of the state as well as the Pine Barrens.

Diet

Nymphs feed on aquatic invertebrate; adults on flying insects.

Life Cycle

New England bluets have a brief flight season that begins in mid-May and ends in June, they are most abundant from the last week of May to mid-June.

Current Threats, Status, and Conservation

Due to the global rarity of this dragonfly and the limited number of populations within New Jersey, the New England bluet is a Special Concern species. Water quality declines due to sewage and roadway run-off are primary threats. Destruction of surrounding uplands and fields deprives newly emerged adults of protection from predation and severe weather.

References

Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow and Jim Bangma.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Odonata
  • Family: Coenagrionidae
  • Genus: Enallagma
  • Species: E. laterale