Range & Habitat:

Found locally throughout the state; but, given its small size and habitat, it may be easily overlooked.

Usually found in short wet grasses along seeps, streams and rivers.

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Male dorsal

pair

Description:

A tiny red damselfly flying low through the wet grasses is almost certainly this species or female Citrine Forktail.  Male's thorax is varies from pale red to slate gray dorsally. This species has black on the abdomen restricted to spots on S7-9. Females are paler red or orange.

Female Citrine Forktail is similar but shows more extensive dorsal black on the abdomen.  Red form female Rambur's Forktail can fool also overenthusiastic observers (including us upon occasion!) but they are larger and the abdomen is black dorsally.

Conservation Status:

Global: G5 - Secure globally, but possibly rare in parts of its range

Flight season:

Early Date: 5/14
Late Date: 8/3

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