Identification

Field Marks

• Average adult size is approximately from 1.2 to 2.2 inches
• Dark brown face that darkens to a metallic blue-black with maturity
• Red and brown eyes becoming dark brown at maturity
• Slaty blue-grey thorax with no visible markings
• Legs are mostly black with brown at the base
• Abdomen slaty blue-grey and unmarked
• Terminal appendages are the same slaty blue-grey color with cerci slightly longer than epiproct
• Female and immature males have brown face, red and brown eyes, yellowish thorax which is brown on top with a yellow stripe starting from the back of the head and running between the wings, and yellow thorax with a wide black stripe running down the center

Field Marks

• Eyes red above and tan below
• Face brown on top with tan in the front
• Thorax brown on top and near the legs, tan on the sides
• Abdomen tan with a thick center stripe that gets darker near the end and dark edging on underside
• Cup shaped subgenital plates with short terminal appendages
• Dark wing tips and nodus

Behavior

Males typically perch on sun lit vegetation near the water. They are territorial and will chase other males away. Females usually stay away from the water until they are ready to mate

Habitat

Marshy lakes and ponds, bog ponds, swamps, and slow moving mucky streams,

Reproduction

Mating is quick, usually under a minute. Female lays eggs by hovering low over the water then dropping down to strike the surface several times, splashing the eggs off her abdomen. Males will sometimes guard egg laying females by hovering over them and chasing away any other males