Familiar Bluet vs San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Familiar Bluet San Francisco Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name Enallagma civile Ischnura gemina
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Coenagrionidae
Size 28-37 mm 2.5-3 cm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America United States
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Familiar Bluet

One of the most common and widespread bluet damselflies in North America. Males are bright blue with black markings on the upper abdomen.

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Did You Know?

It is the most frequently encountered damselfly species across most of the United States.

San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.

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Did You Know?

This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.