Violet Dancer

Here's a Violet Dancer I met earlier in the year at the Plainsboro Preserve.

The dancers aren't dragonflies; they're damselflies. Like most damselflies, they have very thin abdomens and they hold their wings straight up when at rest. And while many odonates like to rest on higher perches, the dancers seem to prefer resting on the ground instead.

Numerous places consider this to be our best-looking damselfly, almost certainly because of the almost unique light purple coloring of the males. Though they're a little on the small side, their color can get the attention of the careful observer.

Though my field guide says they're uncommon, I've seen them at least 8 times over the last 4 years, and I've seen them in at least 5 different locations. 

June 17, 2021 at the Plainsboro Preserve
Photo 141958266, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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