RAINBOW BLUET
Rainbow Bluets are a somewhat uncommon species in our area. This is typically a more northern species. We are near the southern limit of their range in the eastern U.S. (Their range extends further south in the western plains states.)
Rainbow Bluet. The name speaks for itself; these are some of the prettiest damselflies around.
Most of my Rainbow Bluet sightings have been along the Great Miami River in Miamisburg and West Carrollton.
This is a female Rainbow Bluet. Females have extensive greenish-yellow color along their abdomens.
Another view of a female Rainbow Bluet, with its distinctive color pattern.
This individual and the one below were photographed at Cox Arboretum. I have seen Rainbow Bluets there on three occasions: June 21, 2015, June 2, 2017, and June 18, 2018. I haven't seen this species at Cox since 2018, and I suspect the few individuals I saw might have been strays from the Great Miami at West Carrollton.
Rainbow Bluets fly mostly in late May and June, and also in August.
A young male photographed on May 21, 2022. He has more muted colors than the older males above.
