Enallagma dubium Root, 1924
Burgundy Bluet
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: S3
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Burgundy Bluet male's thorax has unique burgundy-colored stripes. The abdomen is dark without a colored ring at the tip. The female of the species has a similar pattern, but the color is a pale yellow. They are small in size, 25-30mm (1-1.2 inches).
Similar species: None in Virginia.
North American Range: The Burgundy Bluet is found in the southeastern United States only. Mostly in the coastal plain from Delaware to east Texas.
VA Observations by Locality: Caroline | Greensville | Isle of Wight | Prince George | Stafford | Sussex
Flight season and broods: In Virginia, the Burgundy Bluet records extend from 10 May through 27 September.
Aquatic Habitat: The Burgundy Bluet prefers sandy ponds or cypress swamps with aquatic vegetation and lily pads, but are also found in acidic beaver ponds.
Behavior and Ecology: The Burgundy Bluet like to perch on floating vegetation such as water lilies.
Population trend and potential threats: It appears to be uncommon and local in its limited range. It is recorded in twelve states, and is regarded as critically imperiled in Delaware and Maryland (NatureServe, 2011).
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Lam, Ed. 2004. Damselflies of the Northeast. Biodiversity Books. Forest Hills, New York. 96 pp.
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: February 20, 2012).
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 1994. A preliminary checklist of the Damselflies of Virginia, with Notes on Distribution and Seasonality. Banisteria 4: 3 - 23.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Damselflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.