The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

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Sort Species by: Family   Scientific Name       [ Undocumented ]
Related Species in COENAGRIONIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0
Added in 2024 from a previous years = 2

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum) by
Compare with: Vesper Bluet   Golden Bluet  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Orange Bluet
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide, lacking records from just two mountain counties. Certainly present in all 100 counties. Unlike many damselflies with a "statewide" range, this species has been recorded from all coastal counties.
Abundance Common and widespread in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont; locally abundant in a few areas. Fairly common to perhaps locally common in the mountains.
Flight A long flight period -- early or mid-April to late October, in all three provinces.
Habitat A broad range of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams.
Behavior This species is active mostly in the afternoons at its ponds and streams; often hard to find on a morning visit, though it certainly can be seen before noon.
Comments This is as widespread in the state as any damselfly, and is reasonably common as well. The orange color on the male is quite noticeable. As mentioned above, if you visit pond and lake shores mostly in the morning, you might have trouble finding any and wonder why the species is considered to be common and widespread!
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-18 15:26:44

Photo Gallery for Orange Bluet   40 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2023-05-23, edge of city cement pond
Photo 2 by: L. Arent

Comment: Yadkin, 2022-08-31, Yadkin County Park
Photo 3 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Ashe, 2021-08-08, Ashe Park Pond, Jefferson
Photo 4 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-06-04, Hot Springs area
Photo 5 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-05-30,
Photo 6 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin

Comment: Yancey, 2021-05-24, Along Cane River south of Burnsville. - Pair in wheel.
Photo 7 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2021-04-16, Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area (SARU)
Photo 8 by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger

Comment: Moore; P, 2020-05-13
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2020-05-05, Stones Creek Game Land, Dry Lake area
Photo 10 by: Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-04-26, Lake McKinney fish hatchery - Many mated pairs
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Richmond; C, 2019-04-18, McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery
Photo 12 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Madison, 2018-08-25, Max Patch pond - Male
Photo 13 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake
Photo 14 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Rockingham, 2018-05-13, Mayo River State Park (MARI) - Mayo Mountain Access - tandem/ovipositing pairs at ponds near park office
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2018-05-11, Northeast Cape Fear River at Chinquapin Boating Access Area
Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Johnston, 2018-05-01, Little River at Rains Mill Road bridge, Princeton
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2018-04-28, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - canal at end of Buffalo City Road
Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Washington, 2018-04-28, Scuppernong River at Creswell Boating Access Area - 1 male and 1 tandem pair
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Anson, 2018-04-21, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
Photo 20 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-27, He was perched on water plant in beaver pond, near Little Tennessee River, Franklin - male
Photo 21 by: Rob Van Epps

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2017-06-13, - Roosevelt Wilson Park; Davidson
Photo 22 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Currituck, 2017-04-14, Maple Park, Barco - tenerals
Photo 23 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Camden, 2017-04-14, Dismal Swamp State Park (DISW) - teneral male
Photo 24 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Gates, 2017-04-14, Merchants Millpond State park (MEMI)
Photo 25 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2017-04-12, Waccamaw River from Pireway Boating Access Area to 6 km upstream
Photo 26 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2017-04-12, Waccamaw River from Pireway Boating Access Area to 6 km upstream
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2017-04-10, Greenfield Lake Park, Wilmington
Photo 28 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2016-10-04, Northeast Cape Fear River at Holly Shelter Boating Access - males and ovipositing pairs on leaves of Spatterdock
Photo 29 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Orange, 2015-05-26, Ayr Mount
Photo 30 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-07-16, at Tuskeegee Motel pond