Blue-ringed Dancer
Argia sedula
This record describes Argia sedula (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Male has black abdomen with blue rings. Resembles a bluet, but abdominal segment 2 mostly black, has wide black, forked, shoulder stripe. Thorax of male darkens during tandem oviposition . Some southern populations have slight tinting in wings. Female is brown, rather weakly marked.
Wikipedia reference for Argia sedula: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argia_sedula.
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
Rivers, streams, lakes, ditches with aquatic vegetation. Perch often on vegetation in shade, unlike most other dancers .
Geographic Range
southern two-thirds of US, with a small "hump" in the northeast that reaches into southern Ontario and Michigan more common southward in east
Seasonal Activity
March-November (Texas); June-October (Virginia); June-September (Ontario)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory on small insects
Life History
Oviposit in tandem into aquatic vegetation.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name is from Latin sedulus , meaning zealously (Internet searches).
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Argia sedula. 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 Blue-ringed Dancer (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Robin McLeod
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue-ringed Dancer
What is Blue-ringed Dancer?
Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Blue-ringed Dancer?
Length 31-36 mm
How do you identify Blue-ringed Dancer?
Male has black abdomen with blue rings. Resembles a bluet, but abdominal segment 2 mostly black, has wide black, forked, shoulder stripe. Thorax of male darkens during tandem oviposition . Some southern populations have slight tinting in wings. Female is brown, rather weakly marked.
Where is Blue-ringed Dancer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rivers, streams, lakes, ditches with aquatic vegetation. Perch often on vegetation in shade, unlike most other dancers . |
| Range | southern two-thirds of US, with a small hump in the northeast that reaches into southern Ontario and Michigan more common southward in east |
What does Blue-ringed Dancer eat?
The diet of the Blue-ringed Dancer includes Predatory on small insects.
When is Blue-ringed Dancer active?
Blue-ringed Dancer: seasonal activity - March-November (Texas); June-October (Virginia); June-September (Ontario).
What is the life cycle of a Blue-ringed Dancer?
Oviposit in tandem into aquatic vegetation.