Kiowa Dancer
Argia immunda
This record describes Argia immunda (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Blue or violet and black. Alternating pale-dark-pale abdominal pattern is distinctive.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged Damselflies)
- Genus
- Argia (Dancers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Streams, rivers
Geographic Range
Southwestern United States: California east to Texas, also north to South Dakota. Also southward through Mexico to Belize.
Seasonal Activity
April-November in southwest, to December in Texas.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Argia immunda. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Kiowa Dancer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Kiowa Dancer
What is Kiowa Dancer?
Kiowa Dancer (Argia immunda) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Kiowa Dancer?
Length 33-38 mm
How do you identify Kiowa Dancer?
Blue or violet and black. Alternating pale-dark-pale abdominal pattern is distinctive.
Where is Kiowa Dancer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Streams, rivers |
| Range | Southwestern United States: California east to Texas, also north to South Dakota. Also southward through Mexico to Belize. |
When is Kiowa Dancer active?
Kiowa Dancer: seasonal activity - April-November in southwest, to December in Texas..