Blackwater Bluet
Enallagma weewa
This record describes Enallagma weewa (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Long, thin, and dark. Adult male is distinctive, with body mostly black and just abdominal segment nine blue. Female has distinctive pattern of black, blue, and brown stripes on thorax. Teneral male is similar to female . Author of species is apparently Charles Francis Byers, whose notable works included Contribution to the Knowledge of Florida Odonata. Obituary: Westfall, M.J., 1982, Charles Francis Byers, Odonatologica, 11:245-249 (referenced here ).
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
Tannin-stained ( blackwater ) streams, sometimes lakes.
Geographic Range
Coastal Plain : Rhode Island, Long Island, New Jersey, south to Florida, west to Louisiana.
Seasonal Activity
June-September (New Jersey). February-November (Florida).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author is Byers, 1927. Species name weewa (or wewa ) is, perhaps, a place name. Compare Wewahitchka , Florida.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Enallagma weewa. 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 Blackwater Bluet (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Giff Beaton; Additional contributions by cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackwater Bluet
What is Blackwater Bluet?
Blackwater Bluet (Enallagma weewa) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Blackwater Bluet?
length 30-30 mm
How do you identify Blackwater Bluet?
Long, thin, and dark. Adult male is distinctive, with body mostly black and just abdominal segment nine blue. Female has distinctive pattern of black, blue, and brown stripes on thorax. Teneral male is similar to female .
Where is Blackwater Bluet found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Tannin-stained ( blackwater ) streams, sometimes lakes. |
| Range | Coastal Plain : Rhode Island, Long Island, New Jersey, south to Florida, west to Louisiana. |
When is Blackwater Bluet active?
Blackwater Bluet: seasonal activity - June-September (New Jersey). February-November (Florida)..