Tonto Dancer
Argia tonto
This record describes Argia tonto (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: overall violet color; humeral stripe dark, not forked, widest anteriorly, narrowing posteriorly to form a thin line
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
large streams and rivers
Geographic Range
southwestern United States (Arizona and New Mexico) south to Mexico
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Argia tonto. 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 Tonto Dancer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod
Frequently Asked Questions About Tonto Dancer
What is Tonto Dancer?
Tonto Dancer (Argia tonto) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Tonto Dancer?
body length 38-44 mm
How do you identify Tonto Dancer?
Adult: overall violet color; humeral stripe dark, not forked, widest anteriorly, narrowing posteriorly to form a thin line
Where is Tonto Dancer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | large streams and rivers |
| Range | southwestern United States (Arizona and New Mexico) south to Mexico |