Damsel flies dancing in the sun

Take a walk around the Biocore and enjoy the Damsel flies, present in abundance. In early April, at the Science Expedition: Picnic Point Exploration station, we found their nymphs, which are aquatic, in the marsh water. Now in June they are darting from stem to stem or just resting and basking in the sun, with their wings folded along their body.The Marsh Bluet (Enallagma erbium) is very common and widespread in Wisconsin. If you ever wondered, there ware 17 similar looking species of bluets in Wisconsin. The males have the brilliant blue and black markings and the females look good in their tan-brownish colors. The photos (Gisela Kutzbach) were taken in May, when we begin to see them, but these likable predators of small insects are most abundant in June and can be seen as late as September. 

Male Bluet on bur oak leaf in brilliant spring green, along the 'savanna' edge between Biocore and Frautschi woods.

Female Bluet visiting the same bur oak tree