How do you tell if it is male or female?

If you have a real close-up of the abdomen you can usually tell male to female by that, but most damselflies have different color and markings for the males and females. Sometimes (as in this case) the immature females and the mature females have different coloration. It is mostly just a matter of checking a good field guide—or BugGuide itself.

Odd that this was found on window screen. Damselflies and dragonflies are never attracted by light. It's possible they would come to light to feed on other insects attracted by lights, but most damselflies and dragonflies don't feed at night.

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

It was exactly 11:04 PM when I snapped the photo. I never would have noticed it but I was checking the screens for moths. At first I thought I imagined it but there it was.

Thank you for the gender explanation. I will add another field guide to my wishlist. :)

The "must have" damselfly book, particularly for someone in Virginia, is Ed Lam, "Damselflies of the Northeast." You can find it on the web; Ed sells it directly to the public.

He has range maps down to the county level, and shows males and females, matures and immatures, dorsal and lateral views. Great illustrations!

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

...I printed the order form already and will be mailimg it out today. :) Thank you.