Neotropical Bluet
Enallagma novaehispaniae
This record describes Enallagma novaehispaniae (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Post-ocular spots have an occipital bar between them, but the spots and bar are not usually confluent. |
| Thorax | Thorax blue in females and immature males, turning purple in older males, with a thin black shoulder stripe. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen blue on segments 1-3, black 4-7, blue 8-10, usually with a black band interrupting the blue at the posterior end of s8. Female similar except with black dorsally on s9-10, an irregular black stripe on s8. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged Damselflies)
- Genus
- Enallagma (American Bluets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Running water: streams, rivers, creeks, irrigation canals
Geographic Range
Texas, primarily the Hill Country and Lower Rio Grande Valley, south through Peru and Argentina
Seasonal Activity
Most common during the summer months, but has been found from late March through late December.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: small insects
Life History
The larvae remains undescribed to science
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Enallagma novaehispaniae. 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 Neotropical Bluet (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose
Frequently Asked Questions About Neotropical Bluet
What is Neotropical Bluet?
Neotropical Bluet (Enallagma novaehispaniae) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Neotropical Bluet?
body length 29-35 mm, hindwing 17-19 mm
How do you identify Neotropical Bluet?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Post-ocular spots have an occipital bar between them, but the spots and bar are not usually confluent. |
| Thorax | Thorax blue in females and immature males, turning purple in older males, with a thin black shoulder stripe. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen blue on segments 1-3, black 4-7, blue 8-10, usually with a black band interrupting the blue at the posterior end of s8. Female similar except with black dorsally on s9-10, an irregular black stripe on s8. |
Where is Neotropical Bluet found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Running water: streams, rivers, creeks, irrigation canals |
| Range | Texas, primarily the Hill Country and Lower Rio Grande Valley, south through Peru and Argentina |
What does Neotropical Bluet eat?
The diet of the Neotropical Bluet includes small insects.
When is Neotropical Bluet active?
Neotropical Bluet: seasonal activity - Most common during the summer months, but has been found from late March through late December..
What is the life cycle of a Neotropical Bluet?
The larvae remains undescribed to science