Eastern Forktail vs Blue-fronted Dancer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Forktail Blue-fronted Dancer
Scientific Name Ischnura verticalis Argia apicalis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Coenagrionidae
Size 21-33 mm 28-38 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Forktail

A small damselfly where males are green and black with a blue tail tip. Young females are bright orange but turn olive-grey with age.

💡

Did You Know?

Young females are striking bright orange, a color they lose completely as they mature.

Blue-fronted Dancer

A robust damselfly with vivid blue coloring found in eastern North America. It prefers streams and rivers rather than still water.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike most pond damselflies, dancers are adapted to flowing water and perch on streamside rocks.