Tule bluet

The tule bluet is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae found in North America, from northern Mexico to southern Canada.

Identification

The damselfly has a blue and black abdomen, usually with more black than blue. The black humeral stripes are about a half the width of the blue antehumerals. The tule bluet postocular spots are small and triangular; they are separated by a thin occipital bar.

Size

This bluet is long.

Distribution

The tule bluet is found throughout North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico, excluding the southeastern United States.

Habitat

The following is the list of habitats of the tule bluet.

rivers
lakes
ponds
marshes
bogs

They occur where there are bulrushes around.

Flight season

Mid-May to mid-September. It can also be during early July to mid-October.

Diet

Nymphs: nymphs eat a large variety of aquatic insects, they include mosquito larvae, mayfly larvae, and other aquatic insect larvae.
Adults: adult tule bluet feed on a wide variety small flying insects, mayflies, flies, small moths, and mosquitoes. They sometimes pick up small insects from plants like aphids.

Ecology

The tule bluet is found almost always where there are extensive stands of tules. This is how this bluet gets its common name. The damselfly will emerge from relatively deep water if there are bulrushes nearby. The tule bluet can be also found in alkaline or salty water.

Reproduction

The male damselflies set up territories at choice breeding sites. After males and females have mated, the male stays attached to the female, as she oviposits in the stems of bulrushes. They are in their tandem position.

Conservation

The populations of the tule bluet are widespeard, abundant, and secure.