Florida Bluet
Enallagma pollutum
This record describes Enallagma pollutum (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Orange Bluet, Enallagma signatum --can be distinguished by details of male cerci, see:
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
Lakes, ponds, streams, but not clear lakes with sandy bottoms .
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi.
Seasonal Activity
All year in Florida
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Enallagma pollutum. 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 Florida Bluet (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Bluet
What is Florida Bluet?
Florida Bluet (Enallagma pollutum) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Florida Bluet?
29-34 mm length
How do you identify Florida Bluet?
Very similar to Orange Bluet, Enallagma signatum --can be distinguished by details of male cerci, see:
Where is Florida Bluet found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Lakes, ponds, streams, but not clear lakes with sandy bottoms . |
| Range | Southeastern United States: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi. |
When is Florida Bluet active?
Florida Bluet: seasonal activity - All year in Florida.