Blue-Ringed or Paiute Dancer? - Lestes alacer

Moved

Moved from Damselflies.

… john and jane balaban, 21 June, 2012 - 2:30pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 14 April, 2012 - 4:21pm

Neither

I've not heard of Blue Ridge dancer and your location is not in the range of Paiute.

Whatever it is it's a female.

… Larry de March, 3 April, 2012 - 4:06pm

Dancer

I meant to say Blue-ringed. Sorry

… Rachel Workman, 3 April, 2012 - 6:07pm

Dancer

Knowing it's a female will help me ID it, Thanks!

… Rachel Workman, 3 April, 2012 - 6:08pm

move to Lestidae

Indeed it is a female, but it is a female Plateau Spreadwing, Lestes alacer. Note the open wings, usually a sure sign that it is a spreadwing, although a few species of pond damsels hold their wings partially open. Lestids also have longer pterostigmas than coenagrionids, not really visible on this photo.

… Dennis Paulson, 21 June, 2012 - 11:40am

Wonderful! Thank you!

… Rachel Workman, 21 June, 2012 - 1:03pm