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Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Blue Dasher


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The fast and bright Blue Dasher is one of the most commonly sighted and enjoyed dragonflies in all of North America.



Updated: 08/09/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Blue Dashers are one of the most abundant dragonflies in the U.S. and can be found near slow moving water sources, marshes and ponds. Adults have four wings with two noticeable dark streaks in them. Adult males have a chalky, blue color from head to abdomen that ends with a black tip. Their heads contain their large eyes which take on a metallic sheen in certain lighting. The female coloring differs from the male. Her abdomen is black with yellow stripes along the sides and top. Her wings do not contain the aforementioned streaks and their abdomens are stubbier. The thorax has yellowish-green striping not seen on adult males. Juvenile Blue Dashers are not blue yet. They have green and yellow stripes on the thorax and yellow dashes along the side of the abdomen, much like adult females.

Males are often seen around water's edge, protecting their territory from other males. They will flash their blue abdomens as a warning to each other. Females usually perch on vegetation and only approach the water when they are ready to mate. Both genders stick their abdomens upright in the air when perched, as if on alert, and they snap their wings closed after settling down. Like other dragonflies, the ecologically beneficial Blue Dasher contributes to pest control by consuming hundreds of smaller insects each day. ©InsectIdentification.org


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General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Fast insect icon
Flying insect icon
Helpful insect icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Odonata
        Family: Libellulidae
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          Genus: Pachydiplax
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            Species: longipennis

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Pachydiplax longipennis
Other Name(s): Blue Pirate
Category: Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 26mm to 45mm (1.02" to 1.77")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: blue; black; yellow; green
Descriptors: chalky; powdery; tiger; helpful; flying; stripes; fast


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 26mm (1.0in) and 45mm (1.8in)
Lo: 26mm
Md: 35.5mm
Hi: 45mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
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Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
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Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Blue Dasher may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Blue Dasher. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
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