Vivid Dancer Damselfly

Nevada State Insect

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Vivid dancer damselfly

Vivid dancer damselfly (Argia vivida); photo by Robert on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution).

Official State Insect of Nevada

Nevada designated the vivid dancer damselfly (Argia vivida) as the official state insect in 2009. All State Insects

Abundant near springs and ponds throughout Nevada (peaking in late August), the adult male vivid dancer damselfly is a rich blue with clear wings, while most females are tan or tan and gray.

What is the Difference Between a Dragonfly and a Damselfly?

Though both are predatory insects with similar body structures, dragonflies and damselflies have distinct physical traits. Damselflies are smaller (growing about 1.5 to 2 inches in length), while dragonflies are larger, thicker, more sturdy-looking (see green darner dragonfly and four-spot skimmer dragonfly). The most obvious difference is wing position; when at rest, dragonfly wings sit out to the side, while damselfly wings fold up straight (on top of body).

Nevada

Images

Female vivid dancer damselfly (Argia vivida) head; photo by Don Loarie on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Female vivid dancer damselfly

Male vivid dancer damselfly (Argia vivida) head; photo by Thomas Shahan on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

Vivid dancer damselfly head

Videos

Male and Female Vivid Dancer Damselflies, Argia vivida, San Diego, California