Identification
Male: Bright yellow thorax. Black lateral thoracic stripe is quite thin or may barely be present at all. The abdomen is tipped in blue. Specifically, abdominal segment 10 is blue on the sides, while segment 9 is completely blue. Large green eyespots.
Female. Similar to the male, but with bright yellow replaced by bright green. Abdominal segment 10 is pale blue and segment 9 is pale blue on the sides and dark on the dorsal surface.
Range
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and the Eastern United States from Maine to Florida and as far west as Colorado and Texas.
Habitat
Preferred habitat includes small lakes with lots of floating vegetation. Occasionally found at slow-moving streams.
Season
Most commonly seen in June through early September.
Remarks
Its crepuscular habits gave it its common name. Crepuscular habits also mean this attractive species is often overlooked.
Internet References
Odonata of New Jersey Pictures male, female, tandem pair
Dragonflies and Damselflies of West Virginia Several enlarged photos help identification
