Blue-tipped Dancer
Argia tibialis
This record describes Argia tibialis (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Male very dark above, with broad brownish-purple stripes on thorax , abdominal segments 9 and 10 blue. Female has blue and brown forms, but in both note wide black shoulder stripes, mostly dark abdomen. See Odonata Central (dead link) for detailed description.
Wikipedia reference for Argia tibialis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argia_tibialis.
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, sloughs; usually perches on the ground
Geographic Range
Texas to Florida, north to Pennsylvania, west through southern Ontario to Minnesota
Seasonal Activity
March to September in the south (October in Florida); June through August in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: small aquatic insects caught in flight
Life History
Oviposit in tandem, in aquatic vegetation or sometimes in wet wood above the water line--an unusual site .
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Argia tibialis. 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-tipped Dancer (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Stephen_WV , Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue-tipped Dancer
What is Blue-tipped Dancer?
Blue-tipped Dancer (Argia tibialis) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Blue-tipped Dancer?
total length 30-38 mm
How do you identify Blue-tipped Dancer?
Male very dark above, with broad brownish-purple stripes on thorax , abdominal segments 9 and 10 blue. Female has blue and brown forms, but in both note wide black shoulder stripes, mostly dark abdomen. See Odonata Central (dead link) for detailed description.
Where is Blue-tipped Dancer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | streams, rivers, sloughs; usually perches on the ground |
| Range | Texas to Florida, north to Pennsylvania, west through southern Ontario to Minnesota |
What does Blue-tipped Dancer eat?
The diet of the Blue-tipped Dancer includes small aquatic insects caught in flight.
When is Blue-tipped Dancer active?
Blue-tipped Dancer: seasonal activity - March to September in the south (October in Florida); June through August in the north.
What is the life cycle of a Blue-tipped Dancer?
Oviposit in tandem, in aquatic vegetation or sometimes in wet wood above the water line--an unusual site .